How do you fight fires on ships?

Answer 1

Since there is no fire department to cal at sea, it is up to the ship's crew to fight any fires that occur. The ship will have a muster list or watch quarter station bill posted which lists the responsibilities or every crew member in case of fire or other emergency.

Answer 2

Fighting fires on board ships is a challenging and difficult proposition. All firefighting is inherently dangerous, but on a ship, there are few places to retreat to. Additionally, we see situations like ships' engine rooms where volatile fuel, lubricating oil, hydraulic fluid and other materials are in close proximity to heat sources. We might use water to fight shipboard fires, but foaming agents must always be available for combustible liquids. Sometimes CO2 fixtures or extinguishers can be used, or bottles with powder or foam might be at the ready. Additionally, fires often occur in enclosed spaces, and the threat of asphyxiation is constantly haunting anyone who might attempt to suppress a fire below decks. Oxygen is quickly consumed, and toxic smoke and fumes can rapidly fill a compartment. Some kind of breathing apparatus (BA) is a must. Protective clothing is often found nearby so it can easily be donned. There are basically two keys to fire safety on board a ship. One is keeping things clean and well maintained so accidents can be avoided. Included here will be proper emergency equipment to suppress fires. Training, specifically fire training, is also critical as there won't be time for someone to contemplate what kind of action to take. Anyone in an engine room will be getting the heck out so the whole compartment can be flooded with carbon dioxide, or they'll be putting on a BA and some kind of jacket and gloves so they can wade in with an extinguisher to suppress the fire and get things under control.