Connecticut Safe Boating Practice Test

What is the recommended action to reduce the air supply to a fire on board a boat?

1. Open all hatches and ports

2. Close hatches and ports

3. Use a fire extinguisher

4. Evacuate the boat

The correct answer is: Close hatches and ports

Closing hatches and ports is the recommended action to reduce the air supply to a fire on board a boat. When a fire occurs, it needs oxygen to continue burning. By closing off hatches and ports, you limit the airflow that fuels the fire, effectively starving it of the oxygen it needs to grow. This can slow the spread of the fire and give time to extinguish it or evacuate if necessary. In contrast, opening all hatches and ports would allow fresh air to fuel the fire, making the situation worse. While using a fire extinguisher is a critical step in managing a fire, it doesn't directly address the air supply issue unless combined with reducing ventilation. Evacuating the boat is a necessary action in some scenarios but does not directly impact the immediate response to the fire on board.