Media Release

For immediate release 15 March 2012

Fire Safety Tips for Boat Owners

Boat owners will learn valuable lessons about fire safety on boats at the Port of Melbourne Training Centre, Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne on Wednesday 28 March at 6.30pm. The boating safety seminar, organised by Transport Safety Victoria (TSV), will feature a special presentation from the maritime unit of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade on preventing and responding to fires including a demonstration of fire extinguisher use. One lucky person will win a life jacket. According to MFB Station Officer Michael Campbell boat fires and explosions injure a considerable number of recreational boaters each year and cause millions of dollars in property damage. He said a fire extinguisher was as vital a piece of safety equipment as a life jacket. Boat fires are very serious and can lead to disastrous consequences so the key is to do what you can to prevent them and, if they start, know what how to respond, SO Campbell said. SO Campbell said carbon monoxide from the boats engine and gas appliances could also be deadly in unventilated, confined spaces and specialised detectors were needed on boats. A carbon monoxide detector is just as important on a boat as a smoke alarm is in a house and all vessels with sleeping areas must have a smoke alarm, he said. The key message is to "Understand your risk, be prepared and know how to respond to the emergency." Mr Peter Corcoran, Director Maritime Safety, TSV, explained that free seminars on safe boating were conducted around Victoria throughout the year to help recreational boaters enjoy their boating safely. Its great that the maritime unit of MFB is able to work with TSV on such important issues and help educate and inform the boating community about the preventing fires on boats, he said. There have been two boat fires already this year so seeing how to use a fire extinguisher and learning how to prevent fires, and react if they start, is a very important safety exercise. All boaters need to be aware of the risks involved with boating so that they can be appropriately equipped to enjoy the water and come home safely. Those wishing to attend can call 1800 223 022.

For further information please contact Janet Miller, Senior Communications Adviser TSV on 9095 4007 or 0437 583 305 or MFB Media and Communications on 9665 4699