They may have been fitted on boats for 100 years or more, but in the summer, boats with domed-decklights, better known as bullseyes, could be at risk from fires breaking out in strong sunlight warns the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS).

Each year there’s a handful fires or close escapes where sunlight, focussed and intensified by the domed-decklights, scorches fixtures or objects lying in the focal path of the lens. Of the three the BSS knows about this year so far, the most serious was when the focussed rays of the sun were concentrated onto towels and a toiletry aerosol which caught fire which spread to the cabin. Fixtures around bullseyes will now be checked as part of the BSS examination. Any signs of overheating, scorching or charring to the material around a bullseye and the boat will not pass.

Graham Watts BSS Manager said, "If you have a bullseye decklight fitted, please check any surfaces below it for signs of scorching.Even if there is no sign of damage make sure that anything that can be affected including any loose objects, are kept at least 300mm away from bullseyes."

There is more information with photographs to illustrate the risks at www.boatsafetyscheme.com/fire