Another Yacht Fire in Chichester Harbour

andyball

andyball

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Sad to see a yacht in flames in Mill Rhythe this afternoon - Coastguard helicopter, Hayling Lifeboat, Conservancy patrol, Fire , Police & Hayling Rescue on scene.

The Hayling Yacht Company moorings have sadly been the scene of several fires in recent years.... we were passing around 16.30 today & the smoke was visible from the harbour entrance ; several huge jets of flames presumably from gas bottles(?) , but no casualties afaik.
 
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I'm sticking with the Taylor's Parrafin Stove thankyou..........

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Commendable, but it is not the fault of the gas but the way it is treated. You could just as easily lose the boat through miss management of paraffin as with gas. In fact gas should go bang whereas paraffin could have a nice slow burn. Doesn't everyone lose eyebrows with Taylors stoves?

Either is going to ruin your day!

They have only said thought to have been caused by.....

What was the guy doing seconds prior to the explosion? Gas its self is not dangerous, until it is lit!
 
I have sailed in two boats with parrafin stoves and they frightened the life out of everybody. And I can tell you that you cannot see burning meths in bright sunshine.
At least you cansmell propane , as a warning
 
Had a fire with a Taylors last year in Oostende.
SWMBO was using the oven and decided to turn it right up.
Unfortunately this is the burner cleaning position.
Result - vapourised paraffin in VERY hot oven leading to fire.
Managed to extinguish it with minimal damage other than dry powder everywhere.
Retired to RYCO for dinner. Every cloud has a silver lining!
 
"Skua" is, or rather looking at the pictures was, a very pretty boat only a few moorings down the creek from us. Hopefully the owner will be alright.
 
The biggest cause of fire on board boats is still Petrol fires on petrol driven boats, gas systems leading to expolosions and unatended solid fuel burning stoves.
We have had five of these on the upper thames in the last 2 years with loads of injuries and a couple of deaths.
Once parrafin is mastered, Correctly maintained and set up, And everyone knows how to operate it, It causes far less problems.
A blow lamp for pre-heating is a better option than Meths or the like.
After having parrafin on my last two sailing boats i would never again go back to gas.
Unfortunately not all boats will be suitable for parrafin so just remember to get it checked for leaks on a regular basis.
And don't relay on those bubble testers iether.
They are not accurate enough.
Get someone that knows how to use a "U" tube to test it.
Also make sure it has been fitted by someone that knows how to fit gas systems.
You won't believe the dreadfull state of systems i have seen fitted.
To be honest i don't know how more people don't get killed!!
A little bit of knowledge!!!!
Joe
 
Wasn't DoDo's Delight lost earlier this year to and icy grave by way of a parrafin cooker fire?

Having been at sea on a yacht that caught fire and sank (electrical fault we think) I now have great respect for ANYTING on board that can cause ignition...........
 
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Once parrafin is mastered, Correctly maintained and set up, And everyone knows how to operate it, It causes far less problems.

[/ QUOTE ]I don't want to minimise the dangers of gas, but let's compare like with like. May I paraphrase?

Once gas is mastered, Correctly maintained and set up, And everyone knows how to operate it, It causes far less problems.

On my gas cooker, I turn the gas on, light it and put the kettle on. No preheating rigmarole or risk of flare-ups. Even SWMBO, who is as at least as technophobic as the next woman can do it safely. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

To hear the enemies of gas talking, you'd think every other boat with gas on board was blowing up. How many people with who wouldn't touch gas have a plastic can full of petrol for the OB kicking around in a locker that leaks into the engine space? Or the OB itself, sor that matter? What's the difference?

Would I be right in thinking that pertrol & paraffin fumes are more dense than butane, so less easily dispersed? A gallon of 2 stroke or paraffin slopping around your bilges on a hot afternoon could spoil your day just as effectively as a gas leak.

Yes, one has to be careful with gas. One has to be careful with other fuels as well.
 
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A blow lamp for pre-heating is a better option than Meths or the like

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Except the blow lamp is gas powered, and I know from experience that gas blow lamps are tricky to get lit with a stable flame. As soon as you move them before they heat up properly you can get flaring.

And you are still using gas.
 
What's this then - another poor yachtie that cannot afford the mooring fees or is there a disgruntled MoBo'er out there burning yachts.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
I have Calor Gas ....

All my boats have had Calor gas ...

I have never had a professional step on board to fit it either. I have used the excellent services and advice of Hants and Dorset Caravan Dealers who are leaders in the leisure market and who know more than most. OK things are different now and last time I discussed with them - it was still possible to get installation leaflets etc. I suppose that is all old-hat now and they are not alloweed to advise anymore. Which I think increases the risks.

But anyway ....... I know of Gas fires, I know of Parafin based fires .... they are all find out'able if you look for them ... so each has its share of problems.

I like Calor Gas as its very controllable, Toast is true toast ... oven is variable, english brekkies doesn't have that oily taint that I have found with some .... and its safe if used properly.

Lets pose a question .... How many refuse to have a Calor Gas job on the boat ... but have a Gas Cooker at home - a far more powerful beast !! Forget all about CORGI and professional fitters etc. - I've had occasion to complain about a Corgi at home - one even failed to connect the bayonet gas pipe properly ... I found out cause of the indicator they put in the gas to make it smell ... I smelt it and realised that there was something wrong .... pulled out the cooker and bingo !

Its an argument that will not resolve until either one or other is banned, not made anymore or boats cease to be on water ....
 
Re: I have Calor Gas ....

Gas system should be checked regularly for leaks. Especially if the cooker is mounted in gimballs as nearly all are, the connections take a bashing that no domestic set up gets. Last time I had mine checked it was leaking like a sieve and was steadily filling the boat with gas.

Memo to self: must get gas system checked again as despite previous experience I haven't had it checked since, Dumbo.
 
Re: I have Calor Gas ....

Watched the news video on South today this evening....good shots from the air. It appears the crew man rescued has 60-70% burns....not good and I guess little hope with those injuries.

Thoughts with his family and friends.

Paul.
 
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The biggest cause of fire on board boats is still Petrol fires on petrol driven boats, gas systems leading to expolosions and unatended solid fuel burning stoves.

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I wouldn't be surprised if in fact the biggest cause of fires on boats was none of these. Electrical problems seem to be the cause on many many boat fires.
 
Electrical fires

I am pretty sure that you are right, and that most fires on boats are electrical fires in origin. People are far too casual about wiring, because "its only 12 volts"...

I have had three really good scares:

1. Union failed on Stuart Turner petrol tank, dropping a couple of gallons of petrol into the bilge, on a hot summer's day. ..

As you can see, I'm still here, so it did not ignite, but that was, literally, my last day with a petrol engine in a boat.

2. Solid fuel stove became over-enthusiastic and scorched varnish.

Modified the installation.

3. Electrical fire in engine control panel

After professional re-wiring - nobody's perfect! Soon fixed.

I've used paraffin cookers for over thirty years and I've not had any trouble with them.
 
Re: I have Calor Gas ....

In February, a friend crashed his plane after taking off from Belfast City. He suffered 60% burns, and did survive, though only recently out of intensive care. The first problem for the medical staff is to avoid infection. God knows how long poor old Mike will be in hospital. Don't want to be too graphic, but they have now run out of skin for grafting.

Really nasty, so I hope this poor chap from Chichester is not as bad as that. My sympathies to all concerned.
 
Re: About your pilot friend

I hear that there is now a procedure whereby skin is "sprayed" over the burns after being cultured in a lab. Significantly increases recovery and reduces scarring.

Should be available to him as I saw NHS patients get it regularly for less degree of burns than your friend.
 
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