A fire on a ship as a type of emergency

The article describes emergency situations caused by a fire on the ship. The relevance of the topic under consideration is confirmed by the urgency of the problem, which has not yet been solved. Fires continue to occur at various water transport facilities, bringing huge financial losses, and in the most catastrophic cases — the death of people. As a result of this circumstance, the importance of the fire safety system on the ship increases. Individual elements of the system can be introduced at the design stage of the vessel. At the next stages of the life cycle of a water transport facility, the serviceability of electrical equipment and the «human factor» acquire a significant influence. Elementary compliance with fire safety rules can prevent an emergency. In this regard, information about the causes of fires at water transport facilities is useful. The article provides statistical data on fires on ships over the past decade. The emphasis is on various forces and means to eliminate fires. It is proposed to conduct training exercises for the rapid elimination of fire in possible places of ignition. The conditions for ensuring the fire safety of the vessel are determined, related to the own capabilities of the ship’s crew and the availability of assistance from coastal rescue services.