Question 1

Before SUNBEAM goes out again, what should the skipper check or add to the boat's safety kit?

Accepted Answer

Check the fire blanket is present, undamaged, and easy to reach; check the fire extinguisher is in date and not used up; brief all crew (even guests) on where these are and how to use them at the start of every trip The equipment worked, which is good — but it should always be checked before use, not assumed to be fine. A quick safety briefing at the start of every trip (where the fire blanket, extinguisher, and lifejackets are) takes two minutes and means everyone — not just the skipper — can react fast if something goes wrong. This is standard RYA good practice for any skipper taking less experienced crew or guests aboard.

Question 2

SUNBEAM is cooking lunch. A pan of oil catches fire and flames are climbing above the pan. What do you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Shout "FIRE!" so everyone knows, then turn off the gas/stove if you can reach it safely without leaning over the flames Tell people first — a fire spreads fast in a small space and everyone needs to know. Turning off the gas stops it getting worse, but only do this if you can reach the control safely. NEVER throw water on a fat/oil fire — it explodes into a fireball. Never carry a flaming pan — you will spill it on yourself or the boat.

Question 3

The gas is off but the pan is still burning. There is a fire blanket clipped near the galley. What now?

Accepted Answer

Pull out the fire blanket, hold it in front of you like a shield, and lay it gently over the pan to cut off the air supply. Leave it in place — do not peek A fire blanket smothers a small pan fire by cutting off oxygen — exactly what it is designed for. Leave it in place for several minutes so the pan cools. A dry powder extinguisher works too but can blast burning oil around the galley. Any liquid (water or drinks) on an oil fire causes a dangerous fireball. Opening hatches feeds the fire more air — close them if anything, once the fire is out.