Had a knock at the door this morning informing me of a fire at our marina. Apparently a 30' or so powerboat exploded / caught fire around midnight, and subsequently set the powerboat next to me on fire. Fortunately nobody got hurt but we have a boat at the bottom and one totally destroyed but afloat. I got away with a melted radar dome and window, and some other minor damage. The racing boat downwind took it a lot worse. Police line tape is not an attractive addition to a classic boat.
Reasons not to share a marina with a powerboat
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I'd like to know more
about how the powerboat fire began. Unfortunately, there are a number of fires on both power and sailboats that seem preventable. I've never had any more problems being at a marina with powerboats than with sailboats. As a matter of fact, it has been quite the reverse. Over a number of years, I've had to report only two boats -- both sailboats -- to marina managers that I thought presented a hazard to my boat. Both had standing rigging that was in an obvious state of failure.
about how the powerboat fire began. Unfortunately, there are a number of fires on both power and sailboats that seem preventable. I've never had any more problems being at a marina with powerboats than with sailboats. As a matter of fact, it has been quite the reverse. Over a number of years, I've had to report only two boats -- both sailboats -- to marina managers that I thought presented a hazard to my boat. Both had standing rigging that was in an obvious state of failure.
Glad Your Boat is Fine
... but like the others I don't see why you've concluded that a marina that is exclusively sailboats would be any less risky. I'm sure you've see the pictures here of the sailboat that exploded a month ago due to a propane leak. Caution and following safety procedures is the key, not the type of boat.
... but like the others I don't see why you've concluded that a marina that is exclusively sailboats would be any less risky. I'm sure you've see the pictures here of the sailboat that exploded a month ago due to a propane leak. Caution and following safety procedures is the key, not the type of boat.
Reasoning for Powerboats being less safe
I spoke to the coast guard dude this morning who indicated the first boat to burn had approximately 200 gal of gasoline on board. I am not aware of any sailboats that carry that much gas. I just returned from the marina and several local residents indicated that there was a loud explosion around midnight. The boat which sunk was an older Chris Craft. The powerboat next to him (and directly next to me) is a year old Bayliner. It may have been unfair to paint all powerboaters with the same brush - in this case the 250 gallons of gasoline parked next to my sailboat became a liability. I agree that sailboats with propane can be a problem as well. I personally removed the propane from my boat until I can get a certified guy to check out the system. I think the difference is that propane explosions (based on what I have seen) tend to be devastating but do not cause the type of fire that gasoline will. I am glad that no boaters or firefighters were injured. I was considering sleeping on my boat last night, as we had quite a blow going and I wanted to be there to deal with any chafed lines and such, but changed my mind at the last minute. Glad I did.
I spoke to the coast guard dude this morning who indicated the first boat to burn had approximately 200 gal of gasoline on board. I am not aware of any sailboats that carry that much gas. I just returned from the marina and several local residents indicated that there was a loud explosion around midnight. The boat which sunk was an older Chris Craft. The powerboat next to him (and directly next to me) is a year old Bayliner. It may have been unfair to paint all powerboaters with the same brush - in this case the 250 gallons of gasoline parked next to my sailboat became a liability. I agree that sailboats with propane can be a problem as well. I personally removed the propane from my boat until I can get a certified guy to check out the system. I think the difference is that propane explosions (based on what I have seen) tend to be devastating but do not cause the type of fire that gasoline will. I am glad that no boaters or firefighters were injured. I was considering sleeping on my boat last night, as we had quite a blow going and I wanted to be there to deal with any chafed lines and such, but changed my mind at the last minute. Glad I did.
Oh My!!
Did this happen recently....and at which Marina? Glad there were no injuries. If you need any help with anything, give us a shout.
Did this happen recently....and at which Marina? Glad there were no injuries. If you need any help with anything, give us a shout.
I had the same experience, except.....
the power boat that caught fire belonged to my father which was in the adjacent slip to mine at the marina. He had an electrical fire which started at the shore power hub and started the fire in areas that were unaccessible. When we saw the smoke coming out of the vents in the comings we called the fire department. The first question they asked was how much fuel was on board. Ironically enough they were hoping that the tanks were full, because as they put it, there is less chance of an explosion. Apparently if the tanks are empty, it is the fumes in the tank that can cause an explosion which is what they were trying to assess. Fortunately, my boat faired pretty well, but his was a total loss.
the power boat that caught fire belonged to my father which was in the adjacent slip to mine at the marina. He had an electrical fire which started at the shore power hub and started the fire in areas that were unaccessible. When we saw the smoke coming out of the vents in the comings we called the fire department. The first question they asked was how much fuel was on board. Ironically enough they were hoping that the tanks were full, because as they put it, there is less chance of an explosion. Apparently if the tanks are empty, it is the fumes in the tank that can cause an explosion which is what they were trying to assess. Fortunately, my boat faired pretty well, but his was a total loss.
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