wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:18:29 -0600, "Roger Helio"
wrote:


wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:16:57 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:


If a flare lands on the deck of a boat, good luck! It will burn it's way
down
and out through the bottom very quickly while you try and figure out
what
you
have on board that will extinguish a magnesium fire. (hint: you don't
have
anything) They will burn right through the bottom of a metal bucket.



Burning magnesium is easily extinguished with a Pyrene fire extinguisher.


Yes, and EVERYBODY always has one available.


Pyrene fire extinguishers where the defacto fire extinguisher aboard boats
up until the 1950's.

http://www.vintagefe.com/chriscraft.html

Two problems:

1. They used carbon tetrachloride as the agent which affects the human brain
("mad hatter").

2. When used on burning magnesium, phosgene (nerve gas) was generated.

Today, a powder substance also called "Pyrene" is used for class D
extinguishers which include magnesium fires. However, I don't believe it is
carbon tet. I would recommend mariners carrying a Class D extinguisher as
well as filling the mast with concrete for fire protection.