Fire is a major hazard onboard ship. With a small crew, and limited resources to fight it, even a small fire can become a disaster quickly. We all have a duty to do everything we can to avoid fire onboard, to keep ourselves and everyone else onboard safe.

The tip of a cigarette can reach upwards of 900 degrees centigrade when being smoked, and 400 degrees centigrade even between puffs, when at rest. Even with a small tip, this hot surface can result in ignition.

Smoking near dangerous cargo, fuel, or other combusitble materials can lead to a fire or explosion.

Improperly disposed of cigarettes can ignite waste bins.

There are numerous cases of seafarers smoking in their cabins, falling asleep and as a result their bedding catching fire.

All sources of heat - including cigarettes - are a potential fire hazard and must be treated carefully.

Smoking is only permitted/allowed in designated smoking areas, on the condition that the smoker properly extinguishes and disposes of their cigarette when they are finished.

There are some times when smoking is not allowed anywhere onboard. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the ship:
- When bunkering, or
- When loading, discharging or carrying Class 1 DG cargo (explosives), or
- If the port or terminal does not permit smoking.

In these circumstances, the Master will inform all crew in advance that smoking is not allowed, and again when smoking is once again permitted.

Smoking is never permitted in cabins, in the accommodation, inside the Bridge or anywhere in the engine room or engine control room.

There are two designated smoking area on the ship, the smoking areas are:
- On the boat deck on the starboard side (muster station, adjacent to the rescue boat).
- Only when in port and when not loading or discharging dangerous cargo: At the top of the poop deck gangway (whichever is in use).

These may only be used when the conditions in section 02 above apply.