Boat fires have the potential to be deadly. If one starts on your boat, it can seriously injure or even kill you or some of your passengers. It can also severely damage the vessel.
Let us talk about some of the top causes of boat fires, as well as some ways you might prevent them.
Damaged Wires
Marine wires can cause fires if they become frayed. Wires can be damaged in different ways, but usually, if it happens, it’s because something is rubbing against them and chafing them.
You should check your wires periodically to make sure nothing like this is happening. If you notice that a wire is damaged, make sure to replace it with no delays.
Wires can also be damaged if you are using the wrong gauge. If you are, then the current running through the wire can make it too hot, and it can overheat and catch on fire. The most obvious way to prevent this is to use the right size of wire. Ones that are too small are the most likely fire risks.
Shorted Switches
A shorted switch can also start a fire on a boat. Any short circuit to a boat’s engine block can cause sparks to fly. While that might not necessarily start a fire, it can if there is anything close by that the spark lands on that is particularly flammable.
To prevent a shorted switch on your boat, you might wear rubber boot covers. Doing so will cover any positive conductors with rubber.
You also need to use a battery charger that has been properly calibrated. If you overcharge a battery, that can shorten its life, but it can also cause a fire or even an explosion in some instances.
Loose Connections
Loose connections are also sometimes the culprit when there is a boat fire. If you have a loose electrical current, that causes there to be a high resistance. When that happens, it is more difficult for the current to flow correctly.
You will get more heat in that situation than the system can handle. A fire can start. However, you can also see melted terminal strips, melted terminals, melted wires, singed insulation, etc.
You will also see arcing faults from an electrical circuit connection if it is resistive or loose. If you have any flammable material nearby, you have the perfect recipe for a fire.
The way to prevent these issues is to make sure that all your connections are nice and tight. During the boating season, you can check on each of the connections before you take your boat out. Failing that, you should do it at least once a month.
Pay special attention to the connection between the alternator and the battery and the battery to the starter. These are two of the most common areas where a fire can start if you have a loose connection.
If you maintain your boat and keep the following tips in mind, a fire is a lot less likely.