2 Boats On Fire Last 2 Weekends

[milkyway]

It is frightening to hear someone call the Coast Guard for boat on fire. Two helicopters headed the same direction as the bay constables. Two incidents during the last 2 weeks.<br />1. What's the most likely cause? I always check my hoses and the bilge area for gas leaks.<br />2. If a boat catches fire, is an explosion "likely" to happen before you get the chance to use the fire extinguisher? <br /><br />I told my wife that next week we would practice evacuating the boat in less than 30 seconds. I will tie (2) liferings to each other to supplement our lifevests. Handheld radio, whistle and flares will be in small bag tied to my standbye vest.

 

[bayman]

Re: 2 Boats On Fire Last 2 Weekends

Here are some causes I have seen or heard but the insurance companies could probably give us all a much better breakdown as to the percentages caused by each type:<br />- cooking on board<br />- refueling while using a heat source (smoking, cooking etc..)<br />- for inboard boats, not running the blowers long enough before starting<br />- using non-marine parts such as those from cars and trucks (always use a marine alternator)<br />- improper installation or improper modifications of electrical systems<br /><br />A good percentage of explosions on boats come from fumes building up in the bilge area. If this is a big explosion a fire extiguisher might not be very helpful.<br /><br />You are very good to be observant and know what can happen so that it can be avoided!

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: 2 Boats On Fire Last 2 Weekends

Also worth remembering is that we're looking at two different things here.<br /><br />A fire needs flammable material. Plenty of that on a boat, so extreme caution needed at all times, especially when cooking. A fire also gives a 'breathing space' which allows it to be tackled or the boat to be evacuated.<br /><br />An explosion is different. It doesn't need flammable material other than the explosive gas itself. All it needs is a build-up of gas anywhere on the boat (bilges usually, because petroleum vapour is heavier than air), and a spark. And it doesn't give a 'breathing space.' There is no warning. The only remedy is prevention.<br /><br />The times I've seen a boat owner board his boat on a nice warm day, turn the key and fire up the inboard engines immediately! Scary, man!<br /><br />Always struck me as crazy that a boat sits literally in and surrounded by water, and yet its worst enemy is fire.