That's NOT the gas filler...

[Danny_Ocean]

Pompano Beach, FLA - Sun-Sentinel News<br /><br />Two Men in Boat Fire Released from Hospitals<br /><br />Two Fort Lauderdale men injured Sunday in a boat explosion were treated at area hospitals and released.<br /><br />Harry Unger, 44, and Richard Bastiani, 47, were setting out for a day of fishing when they stopped to buy fuel for the boat they were using.<br /><br />Instead of putting fuel in the fuel tank, one of the men put the fuel into the boat through a fishing-rod holder, Pompano Fire-Rescue officials said.<br /><br />The men put in at the boat ramp in Alsdorf Park at 2901 NE 14th St. in Pompano Beach about 6 a.m. and sparked an explosion when they started the engine.<br /><br />The explosion threw the men to the deck and engulfed the 26-foot boat in flames.<br /><br />Both men received burns to their torsos.<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[samagee]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

A hairy what got launched from the boat?

 

[ChrisMcLaughlin]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

I have a firm rule. Only the owner of a vessel fuels his vessel unless at a marina.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Not the first time, probably not the last<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000547

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Do these people just start pumping gas into any hole in the boat thinking it will magically arrive in the gas tank???? Or do they think all holes lead to the gas tank???<br /><br />Woudnt a normal person think there would be a gas cap to remove before you start pumping?<br /><br />Woundnt a normal person ask if they didnt know???<br /><br />Where was Darwin on this one? Clearly two idiots that needed removing from the gene pool.<br /><br />Ken

 

[samagee]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

I know I keep seeing a bunch of joke openings on this topic. I mean if the guy sticks it in any hole....... OK I won't go there.

 

[neumanns]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Don't ya think somebody would said "Do you smell anything".

 

[suzuki115]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Always fill your own gas.<br />Always set your own tie-downs.<br />Always hook-up hitch/chains/lights yourself.<br />Always tie-down a load you are hauling yourself.<br />That way you know its been done correctly - or - you only have one person to blame for any mishap.

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Do these people just start pumping gas into any hole in the boat thinking it will magically arrive in the gas tank???? Or do they think all holes lead to the gas tank???<br /><br />Woudnt a normal person think there would be a gas cap to remove before you start pumping?<br /><br />Woundnt a normal person ask if they didnt know???<br />

I live right down the street from where this happened. Believe me, if you want to personally witness the shallow end of the gene pool, just visit the 14th St. ramp on any weekend. <br /><br />What really amazes me is how "un-intelligent" people can afford some of the nice boats I see them dropping in the water. Doesn't one have to be reasonably smart to make the $$$?<br /><br />Guess not...<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

I agree with Suzuki !!

 

[Toad2001]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Not so much dangerous as it is expensive, but an even costlier fix is to repair damage caused by filling water tanks with diesel. Happens a lot. What a mess... <br /><br />You have to pay close attention to the fluids you are putting into your vessel.

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Well, I always say: "What you want done right, you gotta do yourself".

 

[Chris1956]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

To elaborate on Danny Ocean's comment. Perhaps the people who own these nice boats (and are therefore rich), are just ignorant (not stupid). My friend was invited by the president of a major utility company to accompany him on the maiden voyage on his new 45' sailboat. They had to cross a shallow bay to get to the inlet. The owner had no charts (or experience), no potable water or other provisions, and had probably never sailed a boat in his life. He immediatly turned the boat over to my friend, who, althought never had sailed before, had a 30' powerboat and could handle the sailboat under power. They went to the ocean (3 hours), turned back, and the owner and other passenger took a nap, leaving my friend to drive and navigate solo. He had never been in this bay before, but managed to bring it in safely, somehow. He now refuses to go out with this guy!

 

[DJ]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

I would venture to say that if one put several different recepticles on a car, the results would be interesting too.

 

[sloopy]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

This weekend at Sunset Marina, one of the girls who works here, almost pumped gas into the stern light mast receptacle of a bowrider. and she wondered why it would not fit....

 

[sloopy]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

And I also promised her I would not tell anyone...

 

[achris]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

Thanks Ocean Danny for a very sobering story,<br /><br />Obviously some of these people leave their brain at home when they go boating. I have laughed a lot at some of the other posts, but this one is more sad then funny. We had an accident of similar style here a few years back with a fisheries authority boat. I was asked to help with the investigation. The original builder of the boat (aluminium) had not plumbed the fuel tank vent line to exit overboard. The line just inverted and ended inside the boat. The boat was emptied of fuel (petrol) to have some welding done on the hull and the tank was refilled from 50 gallon barrels. The tank was overfilled but because the vent was under the floor no-one noticed the spill. When the 2 officers went to start the engine she went up. Luckily they survived, but with serious ankle injuries and burns. <br /><br />I think people forget just how dangerous fuel can be. Just one cup of petrol has the explosive potential of 3 sticks of jellignite.

 

[swist]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

There was a bad one in these parts about 15 years ago - marina attendant pumped gas into the holding tank discharge. Someone went into the head to do his business turned on the light and the thing blew. Several fatalities.<br /><br />I can't imagine someone saying "fill-er-up" to one of those marina Summer job airhead gas dock attendants and than walking away without looking to see if they know what they were doing.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: That's NOT the gas filler...

My Dad used to keep a 23'cruiser in one of our area lakes. He went to the 'full service' gas pump one day. <br /><br />On this boat, the fresh water tank and the fuel tank fillers were conviently located about a foot apart on the outside cabin wall in easy reach if you were at a dock.<br /><br />One said 'GAS' the other said 'WATER'. <br /><br />The attendant commented that it only held 10 gallons. Pop looks at the guage--- reading 'empty', and it didn't even budge when ya turned on the key. <br /><br />"That's odd", he thought, "This thing has a 75 gallon fuel cell. And it only took 10 gallons??"<br /><br /><br />Upon further inspection,, the attendant had filled his fresh water tank with gas.<br /><br />No big dissaster, but that fresh water tank for his little on board sink was a gonner.