Boats burn at Topac Marina

[digginfordollars]

Coming back up from Havasu to Park Moabi this morning, seen some smoke coming from over the I-40 freeway. Turn the corner into Topac Marina and one boat is on fire, the owner jumped ship and evidently it drifted over to the docks and started everything else on fire. At least five boats burnt, maybe as many as twenty. I got some pics but they are on 35mm, when I get them put on a disc I'll post them.

[beer hunter]

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[beer hunter]

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[beer hunter]

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[beer hunter]

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[beer hunter]

All these photos were lifted from Hot Boat. This really sucks, but at least the gas docks and resturant weren't burned http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[digginfordollars]

How many burned? Did you hear?

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (digginfordollars @ Aug. 01 2004, 7:57 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How many burned? Did you hear?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Could be as many as twelve http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif


Here's the link to the thread (http://www.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53949) on HB http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[spectragirl]

That really sucks. I got a call from a very good friend of mine in Havasu and his 26 Howard Cat caught fire yesterday. The boat is totally gone. I just took a ride in it 2 weeks ago. But everyone got out ok so thats good. Sounds like no injuries at the Topoc fire either.

[PUMP 'HER']

You killing me Spectragirl!!! What happened?

HB thread says it may have been a refueling dealio. Weren't we just talking about this a week ago?

[THOR]

They say that the guy didnt have his blower on while refueling. Dont know about you guys, but my tank isnt anywhere near the engine compartment, thus no need for the blower.

[Akamatsu]

Wow, that totally sucks! Really sorry to hear about the burned up boats. Glad that no one was hurt...

[Akamatsu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (THOR @ Aug. 01 2004, 8:53 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">They say that the guy didnt have his blower on while refueling. Dont know about you guys, but my tank isnt anywhere near the engine compartment, thus no need for the blower.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Where is your tank? Belly tank? If it overflows/leaks wouldn't it follow the natural water path into the engine compartment and bilge pump? I haven't heard anything but what I just read here, but I think in general it is probably a good idea to run the blower while fueling. And for sure before firing off the engine.

[Red Horse]

Doesnt Coast Guard regulations say something about a enclosed engine comparpment having to be ventilated. ie a blower, regardless of fuel tank location???


I think it does say that somewhere. Just because the tank is not there does not mean fuel isnt present. A fuel line leak and and then a spark from a starter or alternatetor in a enclosed enviroment makes a big bang. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif

[THOR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Red Horse @ Aug. 01 2004, 9:20 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Doesnt Coast Guard regulations say something about a enclosed engine comparpment having to be ventilated. ie a blower, regardless of fuel tank location???


I think it does say that somewhere. Just because the tank is not there does not mean fuel isnt present. A fuel line leak and and then a spark from a starter or alternatetor in a enclosed enviroment makes a big bang. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Sure, you have to have a ventilated tank. I run mine before ignition too, but the dudes on HB are saying that he didnt run his blower while fueling which doesnt make any kind of sense to me. For example, in my old boat that had saddle tanks, the fueling lines and tanks were located midway down the hull of the boat. The vent tube was even further forward. The blower would make no difference on that boat.

[Havasu Dreamin]

Always, always, always run the blower priot to starting the engine. Even when we just stop to take a dip in the water we run the blower prior to starting.

SG, sorry to hear about your friends Howard Cat. Any idea how it happened? We were leaving the marina, that will be another thread, on Saturday to head back to the house and saw the smoke coming up from off of Crazy horse.

[THOR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Havasu Dreamin @ Aug. 02 2004, 08:29 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Always, always, always run the blower priot to starting the engine. Even when we just stop to take a dip in the water we run the blower prior to starting.

SG, sorry to hear about your friends Howard Cat. Any idea how it happened? We were leaving the marina, that will be another thread, on Saturday to head back to the house and saw the smoke coming up from off of Crazy horse.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I do, I do, I do. Damn! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Essex502]

I agree...I always crack the hatch a coupla' inches and run the blower at least for 30 seconds to a minute before turning over the motor. Basic boating.

The Havasu Times seems to say the boats burning at Topock destroyed 9 and damaged several others.

[Akamatsu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (THOR @ Aug. 02 2004, 08:14 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sure, you have to have a ventilated tank. I run mine before ignition too, but the dudes on HB are saying that he didnt run his blower while fueling which doesnt make any kind of sense to me. For example, in my old boat that had saddle tanks, the fueling lines and tanks were located midway down the hull of the boat. The vent tube was even further forward. The blower would make no difference on that boat.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I would guess it was more that he never ran his blower, than needing it to be actually running while filling?? Of course i am only speculating.. I have NO IDEA what the real story/cause was.

I can semi-relate to this story, as you all may have read, I recently had gas in my engine compartment on the Fourth of July at LVHB beach. It was noticed right away and never became a problem, but it was not a good feeling. It turned out to be a leaking gasket on the fuel guage sender. Only would have shown up when the tanks were full and building pressure due to the expanding gas due to the heat(filled up that morning).

My saddle tanks extend well into my engine compartment(probably 6-8 inches from the transom). You don't really realize it, as they are upholstered over. My fill and vent tubes are at the cockpit, way forward of the engine compartment. My fuel sender guage was right at the beginning of the engine compartment(once I pulled the upholstery out of the way to see what was leaking.) It was a simple fix and I am glad I caught it before it turned into a disaster.

[Essex502]

Unless sealed bulkheads are used in a boat I'll bet that any gasoline fumes present will be present in most compartments. They are also heavier than air and be at the bottom of the compartments. Simply put - always, always run the blower and in my opinion crack the hatch to allow fresh air into the engine compartment before starting as you never ever know until too late if a problem exists. Gasoline fumes are EXPLOSIVE and even an extinguisher may not stop the damage or potentail loss of life. Be safe.

[spectragirl]

i DON'T REALLY KNOW THE DETAILS YET. MIKE ACTUALLY TALKED TO HIM. THEY ARE SAFE BOATERS.THERE'S A THREAD ON HOT BOATIN THE SANDBAR. THE THING THAT SUCKS IS THAT IS WAS HIS BDAY.

[HAVAHOWARD]

KERRI YOUR MY GIRL LV YA http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif

[spectragirl]

Jr is that you?http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/uh.gif

[HAVAHOWARD]

I am hurt my son loves you to i was sure i was the only one http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[BADFISH II]

what am I missing here in this thread? Went from boats blowing up to a quick version of westside story http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif