The safety level aboard any ship is fundamentally shaped by two main factors: design and effective management by the crew. Every ship is purpose-built to perform specific functions - whether it’s transporting goods and passengers, dredging, or laying pipelines. Alongside these operational roles, ships require reliable power supplies and adequate facilities to accommodate personnel and guests.

As ships take on more diverse and complex tasks, their safety challenges grow accordingly. Take cruise ships, for example, they resemble miniature cities at sea, complete with power plants, water and wastewater treatment systems, waste processing facilities, theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, hotel accommodations, swimming pools, and much more. Multi-purpose vessels also carry a range of complex equipment and functionalities, increasing the intricacy of their safety requirements.

In recent years, the emergence of alternative fuels has introduced additional safety considerations. While traditional liquid hydrocarbons have long been standard fuel sources, crews now face new hazards from highly flammable gases and liquids, some of which are toxic or pose serious health risks. This shift underscores the critical importance of fire preparedness onboard.

A typical Fire Attack Plan contains comprehensive information designed to assist firefighters in efficiently managing incidents. Key elements include:

1. A plan view drawing (Fire Safety Plan) showing the deck location, entrances, and exits of the space.

2. Details of chemicals stored or used within the space.

3. Estimated occupancy levels.

4. Locations of high voltage equipment, cables, fuel, and gas/vapor pipes, clearly marked on the plan.

5. Lists of ventilation fans and dampers that must be secured.

6. Lists of machinery that must be shut down during firefighting.

7. Instructions on how firefighters should safely enter a space.

8. Detailed firefighting tactics, including the appropriate extinguishing agents (foam, CO2, etc.).

9. Description of fixed firefighting systems present.

10. Pre-designated Safe, Working, and Hot Zones to guide crew safety.

11. Procedures to control smoke generation and propagation, such as ventilation adjustments and closing fire screens or watertight doors.

12. Guidance on using natural ventilation, smoke curtains, and hose ports to manage smoke movement.