Fire Safety for Boaters: Prevention, Fueling and Response

Boat · Originally published April 21, 2015 · Updated November 2026

On land, a car fire means you pull over and get out. On Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock Lake, your options are the boat or the water. That is why fire prevention deserves its own spot in your boating routine. The good news is that most of it comes down to fueling carefully, keeping wiring in good shape and knowing what to do if something goes wrong.

Fuel safely, every time

Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and can settle in the bilge and engine compartment, where a spark can ignite it. When you fuel up:

Shut off the engine, electronics and anything that could spark
Have passengers get off the boat at the fuel dock if practical
Close hatches and doors so vapor does not drift inside
Keep the nozzle in contact with the fill to reduce static
Do not overfill, and wipe up any spills right away
Afterward, open hatches, run the blower if your boat has one and sniff the bilge before starting

If you smell fuel, do not start the engine. Find the source first.

Watch electrical and other heat sources

Older boats and boats that sit for long periods can develop corroded connections, chafed wires and loose terminals. Heat builds where current flows through a poor connection. Before the season and every so often during it:

Look for melted insulation, discolored terminals or a burning smell
Make sure batteries are secured and terminals are covered
Avoid adding accessories by tapping into random wires; use proper fuses and wiring
Be careful with shore power cords and adapters at the marina, and replace damaged cords

If you are not comfortable with marine wiring, have a qualified technician look at it. It is cheaper than a fire.

If your boat has a stove or you bring a grill to the sandbar, keep it stable, never leave it unattended and store fuel canisters away from heat. Carbon monoxide is also a risk around engines and generators, so do not let anyone swim or sit near the exhaust.

Your fire extinguisher

Many motorboats are required to carry a fire extinguisher under U.S. Coast Guard and state rules, and the type and number depend on your boat. Beyond meeting the requirement:

Mount it where you can reach it quickly, not inside the engine compartment you might need to fight a fire in
Check the gauge and inspection date regularly, and replace it when it is expired or discharged
Make sure at least one other adult onboard knows where it is and how to use it

Remember the basic technique: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep side to side.

If a fire starts

Act fast and keep people first:

Shut off the engine and fuel supply if you can do it safely
Get everyone into life jackets immediately
If the fire is in the engine compartment, avoid throwing the hatch wide open, which can feed it oxygen
Position the boat so the wind blows the fire away from passengers when possible
If the fire cannot be controlled quickly, get everyone off the boat and away from it, and call for help

The boat can be replaced. People cannot.

How insurance helps after a fire

A fire can mean a total loss, damage to a neighboring boat in the slip or injuries to passengers. A boat insurance policy can include physical damage coverage for your boat and liability coverage for damage you cause to others. How a total loss is paid depends on your valuation, so read up on agreed value vs. actual cash value. If you keep your boat in a slip on Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock Lake, ask whether your marina has its own insurance requirements.

Talk to a local agent

Questions about how your policy handles fire? Call 417.865.4800 or request a quote on our boat insurance page.

Common questions

Does boat insurance cover fire damage?

Physical damage coverage on most boat policies includes fire, but limits, deductibles and exclusions vary, so check your policy.

Where should I mount the fire extinguisher on my boat?

Somewhere you can grab it quickly from the helm or cockpit, away from the most likely fire sources, such as outside the engine compartment.

Why should I run the blower before starting the engine?

A blower helps clear fuel vapor that can collect in the engine compartment and bilge, reducing the chance a spark ignites it.

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Written by Auto Insurance Express. Reviewed by Philip Edwards, founder. Philip has run independent insurance agencies in southwest Missouri since 1997. More about the agency.

General information, not advice about your specific policy. Coverage, exclusions and eligibility are determined by the policy forms and endorsements your insurer issues, and state rules change. Confirm details with us before you rely on them.

Fire Safety for Boaters