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marinas, believing it is up to marina management to foster an attitude of prevention for the overall safety of the marina that hopefully transfers to each individual slip holder—who, hopefully has read his slip agreement's 'hold harmless' clause, I might add. Marina fire safety measures are always something boaters should check out when choosing dockage. Fire protective measures are just as important as good lighting and security. Next is some information and recom- mendations from two premier house- boat manufacturers. First from the highly-regarded Gibson Boats head- quartered in Portland, Tenn. General Manager Tom Austin advises that every Gibson model be equipped with a 500 cu/ft fire suppression system inside the engine room designed to deploy automatically if needed. Two handheld extinguishers are also provided. He also notes, "The most important thing the owner can do is carefully consider any modifications to the electrical or fuel system on their boat, and should they deem a modification necessary that it be performed by a qualified technician educated on ABYC standards and Coast Guard regulations." Thoroughbred Houseboats' extreme- ly knowledgeable President Shawn Heinen points out that the main cabin and the engine room are the main points of concern in today's newer large houseboats. The vast majority of fires will occur in the engine room due to gas vapors, mainly applying to gasoline engines as diesel vapors are not nearly as flammable. (Veteran boaters know to always follow the necessary 'blower on' sequence.) He says a fire suppression or Halon system should be on all boats. "This extinguisher will go off like a bomb if it detects heat." Explains Heinen. "When activated it will fill the room with Halon, thereby starving all fire of oxygen. These Halon systems work very well. I have personally been involved with a fire once and while the device going off sounded like a bomb, the fire was out quicker than you could blink." For inside the cabin, smoke detectors are invaluable as well as extinguish- ers at strategic spots. Thoroughbred Houseboats generally have them on the front wall, rear storage locker, under galley sink and under upper deck bar. Heinen adds both owners and guests should be trained to know their loca- tions as well as their usage. feature 38 Houseboatmagazine.com