Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

[samm835]

Well this past weekend, we had a boat explode at the docks. This is the first yet I have read about one exploding this year. Lanier is somewhat close to us, so it was on the local news, the three on board were burned and taken to the hospital........supposidly they were fueling and dumping, not sure yet why it exploded but I am sure it will come out because someone forgot to use the blowers prior to turning the key. Man something so easy to do can go so wrong so quick. I hope the folks on the boat heal quick!

 

[i386]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Yea, I saw that on the new last night. Not sure what exactly happened. Hope everything works out.

 

[boatradioman]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

I hope those people are ok.After this story that makes me wonder what if accidentally forget to turn on the blower. They should have a safe shut off in case you do because what happened was a tragedy.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Ironic!!
Had one do the same thing in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday.
Guy just purchased the boat that morning. Fuelling up and bang!!
His parents died in the explosion, his wife badly burnt, and he didn't look to sharp when they were wheeling him away on the stretcher.
The kids were off the boat at that moment.
Completely demolished the boat and a good part of the fuel-point.
Terrible.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[Lakester]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Ironic!!
Had one do the same thing in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday.
Guy just purchased the boat that morning. Fuelling up and bang!!
His parents died in the explosion, his wife badly burnt, and he didn't look to sharp when they were wheeling him away on the stretcher.
The kids were off the boat at that moment.
Completely demolished the boat and a good part of the fuel-point.
Terrible.
Cheers
Phillip

hello,

it sounds very... terrible. what a shame. and all??

because they fueled it w/o blowers on??

sad

regards
lakester
usa

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

I read about the one in Melbourne. Sounded terrible. I guess part of the moral is that if it refuses to start, it's not a good idea to just keep cranking on it over and over again. All that gas has to be going somewhere.

You can bet I'll be running the blower and sniffing the vent before I try to start up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

then there is the kid at the gas station, that pump 20 gallons into the rod holder.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

What a tragedy. Everyone stay safe this summer. Often accidents happed to experienced boaters in the Spring simply because they have forgot something over the winter. Develope a checklist and use it a couple times just to be refreshed.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

After this story that makes me wonder what if accidentally forget to turn on the blower.

because they fueled it w/o blowers on??

Just so we're all clear, when you get fuel all hatches are closed and the blower is off. When you're finished fueling, then you run your blower...


Here's what's left of their boat:

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

This is exactly why, in the IO forum, that everyone is so adamant that automotive parts, like starters, distributors, alternators, etc. are NEVER used on a boat. They are not designed to prevent sparks from igniting any fumes that were left in the bilge after a leak from refueling or whatever else it was that cause the fumes..

It's really, really sad to see this happen to anyone.

 

[guy74]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

This is exactly why, in the IO forum, that everyone is so adamant that automotive parts, like starters, distributors, alternators, etc. are NEVER used on a boat. They are not designed to prevent sparks from igniting any fumes that were left in the bilge after a leak from refueling or whatever else it was that cause the fumes..

It's really, really sad to see this happen to anyone.

Don,
I'm not trying to start a fight, but what is different on a marine alternator, or starter? I look at the pictures of them and they look just like the automotive/industrial ones I rebuild all the time. Is there something special about them other than the price?

Brian

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Environmental seals are on the marine units are the difference between marine units and ordinary automotive use.. They keep the atmosphere inside the unit seperate from the atmosphere outside the unit. Marine units would be called "explosionproof" if they were used in industry on land.

Yes, they are worth the price even if they were not required.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Don,
I'm not trying to start a fight, but what is different on a marine alternator, or starter?

Brian

It is so tempting to put a $35 alternator on when a marine version costs $200 and unfortunatly...people do. I truly believe more explosions/fires are caused by the use of non-marine starters, alternators, distributors, fuel pumps and carbs than non-use of the bilge blower. Some folks just think that the blower will remove enough fumes to allow the cheaper automotive parts...sometimes they're wrong!

 

[guy74]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Environmental seals are on the marine units are the difference between marine units and ordinary automotive use.. They keep the atmosphere inside the unit seperate from the atmosphere outside the unit. Marine units would be called "explosionproof" if they were used in industry on land.

Yes, they are worth the price even if they were not required.

How does that work on an alternator? It still requires cooling air to pass though the case, so it can't be sealed. I wish I could come up with a parts breakdown for a marine alternator so I could answer my own question, but I can't find one. Seemes no one wants to show what is in there, Hmmmm?

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Don,
I'm not trying to start a fight, but what is different on a marine alternator, or starter? I look at the pictures of them and they look just like the automotive/industrial ones I rebuild all the time. Is there something special about them other than the price?

Brian

You have a good question Brian, the USCG has standards for shielding things like starters, alternators, distributors, etc that require the manufacturers to prove their parts will not ignite flamable fumes.. It is all documented in CFR Title 33. Here is the link to part of it.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/33cfr183_03.html

Spend some time there, and yu will understand what they are doing and why.

 

[guy74]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

You have a good question Brian, the USCG has standards for shielding things like starters, alternators, distributors, etc that require the manufacturers to prove their parts will not ignite flamable fumes.. It is all documented in CFR Title 33. Here is the link to part of it.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/33cfr183_03.html

Spend some time there, and yu will understand what they are doing and why.

Thanks Don, I don't doubt that there are reasons why, just like to see thing explained better. Those are some of the reasons I have outboard boats.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

It is state law that a bus must be empty of all people before fueling , I m going o apply that to my boat including restarting after fueling before anyone re-boards. Even static electric can trigger a exposition, the flow of gas thru a nozzle, ungrounded tank, is all risk.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Boat Explosion - Lake Lanier

Well this past weekend, we had a boat explode at the docks. This is the first yet I have read about one exploding this year. Lanier is somewhat close to us, so it was on the local news, the three on board were burned and taken to the hospital........supposidly they were fueling and dumping, not sure yet why it exploded but I am sure it will come out because someone forgot to use the blowers prior to turning the key. Man something so easy to do can go so wrong so quick. I hope the folks on the boat heal quick!

Couple weeks ago, 2 large boats burned while moored in a marina on Allatoona.