What is the primary action to take during active smoking in a compartment?

The primary action to take during active smoking in a compartment is to desmoke the adjacent compartment. This procedure is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps to reduce the concentration of smoke and toxic gases in the environment, improving visibility and the air quality for personnel who may need to enter or operate in the area. Additionally, it prevents smoke from spreading to other compartments, which can exacerbate the situation and hinder firefighting efforts.

Desmoking effectively involves using ventilation systems or manual means to expel smoky air and replace it with fresh air, ensuring that any personnel involved in firefighting or rescue operations can operate as safely and efficiently as possible.

While closing all hatches might seem like a reasonable action to contain smoke, it can actually hinder ventilation and make it more difficult to manage the situation. Activating the sprinkler system may be appropriate in some fire scenarios, but it is not always conducive to dealing specifically with smoke. Evacuating personnel is critical in life-threatening scenarios but is typically a consideration after ensuring the area can be managed safely, rather than as a primary action during the immediate onset of smoke.