Discussion: Boat Fire ...

[dreamsfloatjoe]

Setting the stage:  Tuesday morning I received a telephone call that there had been a fire on board a boat at the south end of the docks at our local town marina Monday evening.  I met Captain Steve at the docks post haste.  Ye Ole Pirate's (docked at the north end) fresh coat of paint was covered in 'soot', as were a lot of boats docked in the marina.  No problem, just a lot of 'scrubbing'.  I'll be going down to clean up smore on Ye Ole Pirate's rear deck and metal work at first light this morning.

One 2002 76 foot Hatteras yacht had her windshield protectors melted to the windshield.  She was docked across the dock from the boat that caught on fire.  The Hatteras was no longer a beautiful shining white colored yacht when I saw her.  She was relocated to the front of Ye Ole Pirate.  A 'crew' of people have been cleaning her up for two days now, black from bow to stern, top to her water line.  Cause, the cook was aboard at the time of the fire and was able to cut all her lines, start her engines, etc., to get her the hello out of that area fast!  Problem, she remained tethered to the dock by the lenght of her electrical cord.  The why she received so much 'soot' coating.

The boat that caught on fire burnt to her water line and sunk on the spot.  Suspect cause of fire is electrical on board the 38 foot Carver full of gas, not diesel.  A young married couple lost all their possesions including their dog.  The owners were not aboard at the time of the fire.  The fire was burning so hot that it destroyed five lenghts of the concrete poles that support the floating dock.  About 100 feet of dockage is destroyed at the south end.

Many experienced Captains immediately responded, as well as fire fighters and moved boats fast out into the harbor, any way they could.  Think, cut lines and tow out into the harbor, drop anchor, hook up to a mooring ball or just dock boats side by side and go back for another boat.  Boat owners are grateful they did.  One boat lost.

First boat fire at our town dock that anyone can remember.

Discussion:  Quick electrical disconnect on your boat?  Fire axe on board to cut lines?  Fire extinguishers on board your vessel?  Do you know where the fire extinguishers are on your dock?  Boat insurance?  Any suggestions/comments to help keep boaters, their families, pets and boat safe?

I'm not going to post any photos, as it seems to me to be in poor taste and it is a sad accident.  However, maybe a boating 'Fire Safety' discussion will help save a life, pet or boat in the future, or cut down on the damage to boats located near a boat that is on fire, maybe.

Our local Fish Wrap News Article with photos:  click here to read the Fernandina Beach News Leader newspaper boat fire article with pics.   

[IrishAyes]

Good post Joe.

It is impossible to prepare for every catastrophic event that may happen on a boat or any where else for that matter.

The obvious, have a working fire extinguisher, know where it is and more important, know how it works.

Quick electrical connections could work. But they would have to be designed to not come apart from the boat rocking from a wake of a passing boat or the waves of a storm.

Ax to cut lines? Although it could work is it do-able on most boats? I don't know where I would put one and have it handy on my Parker. And out of the way of a thief. Tying the boat up properly would help and alleviate the need for an ax. To tie up a boat properly you should not use the spliced eye end of the line on the boat. The line being tight would make it impossible to take the eye off of the cleat. Use the spliced eye for the dock end and figure eight the bitter end of the dock line to the boat cleat.

Kudos to the others at the dock during this event who risked their safety to move the other boats out of harms way. I am sure they save many heart aches.

[Hunter 2]

That is sad news, It could of been much worse.

[Fishin Dude]

Sad to hear about the fire and loss of the dog and possessions. Great that people came to the scene and helped move other vessels to safety. This is why everyone should have insurance on their boat, to help in a total loss,to repair damages,and to also pay out in liability claims for damage to other property caused by your boat etc. <'((((><

[wb]

The inspector who conducted the Vessel Safety Check on YSA had a good suggestion I never thought of.

Keep the fire ex's accessible at ALL times.

I used to stow them below deck when we were not using the boat. If your boat catches fire while you're not around someone else has a better chance to help if the extinguishers are accessible. They are NOT going to break into the cabin to get to them. Sounds simple but I had never thought of it that way.

Also invert the extinguishers from time to time and rap on their bottoms to help ensure the powder doesn't cake up and harden like cement.

[ped579]

It is always sad to read about these things but a fire extinguisher is probably the best investment you can carry.  Make sure you have the proper amount on board and do as warren mentioned turn the extinguishers upsiode down a couple of times to fluff the powder. 

Plus check the dates on those suckers they do expire and loose pressure.  If you have not used one before and have been boating I would guess you might have one that is outdated.  If so maybe you could practice by building a small fire (in a safe place OFF the beat) and then put it out with the extinguisher.  Read the directions as well.  You always want to point the nozzle at the base of the fire and go from side to side till the fire is out.

It might be a good thing to see if your marina could contact their local fire company to put on a hands on demo for the marina.  Well worth the time and effort.

[Pfishingruven]

WOW...what a shame!  Good work by the people that responded and saved all the other boats.

It is a very good point...and now everyone has refreshed their memory on what to do if the boat catches on fire.  Always a good reminder.

 

[kallbergrl]

I think it is great that the fire on my boat is reminding everyone how important safety measures are. I also want to remind everyone that we were not on board when the fire occurred. If you are a person who keeps important documents and electronic data on your vessel, remember to have backups of those things in a safe deposit box or on electronic media. There was nearly nothing that we could have done to help our situation since we were not anywhere near the boat when the fire began.  Thank you, too to everyone for their kind words and well wishes...

[dreamsfloatjoe]

I think it is great that the fire on my boat is reminding everyone how important safety measures are. I also want to remind everyone that we were not on board when the fire occurred. If you are a person who keeps important documents and electronic data on your vessel, remember to have backups of those things in a safe deposit box or on electronic media. There was nearly nothing that we could have done to help our situation since we were not anywhere near the boat when the fire began.  Thank you, too to everyone for their kind words and well wishes...

  Welcome aboard NJSWF kallbergr1.

     Thanks for being in service to our country and thanks for your tips.

Enjoy your journey,

[ped579]

Welcome Aboard Kallbergrl,

Sorry for your loss.  Is there anything we can do to help?  I know it is a long distance between but as part of the boating/fishing community if we can assist you in any way throw it out there maybe prayers will be answered.

Again welcome aboard

Paul

[kallbergrl]

The financial setback we are experiencing is tremendous. Of course, if anyone had any pull at the Fernandina Harbor Marina it would help if they could refund us the night's dockage that we weren't able to use after the fire. Any little bit of recovery helps us get back on our feet.

Robin Kallberg