Scenario: Kids are asleep below. Captain is on aft deck. Large fire in passage way between, Halon released, fire restarted. All power is off. Dark no moon. Cabin single escape hatch is latched from inside.
Now what?
Some things to consider. Practice exiting spaces in the dark with the lights off. Have the smallest least strong person release the latch (it should not be latched when the space is occupied) and open the hatch, in the dark with lights off. Stress the importance of keeping access to the hatch clear. Iinstruct all to close the door to the room if possible, this will limit smoke coming in and buy a bit of time before flames hit the space.
High Wire in post #8 suggests fighting the fire with a portable extinguisher and telling the kids to run. That may work. Or it may not. Portables don't have a lot of capacity. Smoke may have filled the compartment to the point you can't see, maybe can't survive entering.
Have a plan B. If it's a typical V berth with a deck hatch, and you have left the hatch unlatched, opening the hatch from the deck is a good plan B. If the kids have done as they're taught and closed the door once you open the hatch the smoke will rise out then the kids can get out.
The point is to practice different scenarios. At first easy ones, then add challenges. Have a talk afterwords where everyone's input is valued. What went right? What went wrong? How can we do better next time? Opps we forgot to unlatch the hatch! Now, where's that fire axe or other tool stout enough to smash the hatch open?
You may not have time to "think on your feet". With the kids sound asleep when the fire starts, you on the aft deck after a good day and a few beers. No one's reactions will be quick or well thought out. Read this post to see how fast it can go from "What's that smoke?" to there's no putting this one out.
TF Members escape Manatee Fire post # 13
As O C Diver said in post #6 before yours
..... Prevention is the key to safety. As the captain of the vessel, you have an obligation to explain the need, use, and location of PFDs. You have the same obligation to explain the procedures in the event of a fire or other emergency situation.
Ted
Very well said. As captain your first and primary responsibility is the safety of all aboard.
Many of us on TF have in our professional or military careers had good fire fighting training. Some recreational boaters I expect have as well just because they take safety seriously. Consider getting some training.
Ok, since I've climbed up on my soap box I'll keep on keeping on.... Even though it doesn't pertain to the fire that started this thread...
Consider the installation of an automated shutdown of engines on release of the engine room fire suppression. Yeah, I know, it may go off at an awkward moment. Approaching a dock, crossing a hazardous bar, running a raging tidal current. But, back to the Manatee fire post, what does delaying shutdown gain you? Not much. And why is auto shutdown important? Because the fire suppressant won't stall the engines and they are efficient big air pumps stripping the fire suppressant out of the engine room before it has had the time to work it's magic. And it's a one shot deal, no second chance. And if the fire is still going there is no way a single person with a single portable and no protective gear can expect to enter that space and live to tell the tale.
Please continue to take fire prevention and suppression seriously. Of all the risks associated with boating fire concerns me the most. Flooding? Medical? Breakdown? Grounding? Collision? Almost all of those will give us time to deal with the emergency. I'm not trying to scare anyone, boating is very low risk or we wouldn't be our there taking family and friends with us. And statistically fire is not the greatest risk. But it's the one that has the very real potential to leave us the least amount or time and options to deal with the emergency.