Vanilla
Well-Known Member
Do hope this wasn't anyone here losing their brand new boat to an engine fire
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8504600.stm
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8504600.stm
Boat fire Solent
- Thread starter Vanilla
- Start date
Scubadoo
Well-Known Member
Someone managed to video it:
http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/4995242.Two_rescued_from_blazing_boat_in_the_Solent/?ref=rss
Looks like something relating to engine/exhaust, at least the guys escaped safely.
http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/4995242.Two_rescued_from_blazing_boat_in_the_Solent/?ref=rss
Looks like something relating to engine/exhaust, at least the guys escaped safely.
RogerRat
Well-Known Member
Brand NEW Boat fire at Calshot
Not often on here, but a good friend of mine. I went out on Saturday from Mercury on Houston with Yankee1 on board to escort my friend Paul and his mate John into Hamble River. He came up from Eastbourne that morning in his 1976 Bertram42 which he had part exchanged against a brand new Meridian34 flybridge which he had just bought from the show. The trip up was to take delivery from Hamble Point marina.
He had done the normal handover and his departure was delayed due to jobs needing to be completed. They had just set off down the river from Hamble Point and had only travelled 3-4 miles... to Calshot Spit.
Paul opened her up to about 18 knots and thought that something sounded wrong like a blown turbo. He turned the boat round to head back and said to John, "Just keep her steady" as a warning light came up, "Check Engine." Moments later flames shot out from the port rear and they had no time to fight the fire. Emergency call and then immediate launch of the life raft.
Within seconds flames engulfed the back of the boat and they had to choose between raft or water as their jackets were in flames!
I just spoke with Paul on his way home from Southampton hospital. They're both OK but obviously shaken, with minor burns on hands and blisters. He was very complimentary about the life boat as they were on the scene in minutes.
I asked if he had been put off boating and he said that he doubted if he'd ever buy a new boat again.
At this point we've no real idea what caused the fire.
Not often on here, but a good friend of mine. I went out on Saturday from Mercury on Houston with Yankee1 on board to escort my friend Paul and his mate John into Hamble River. He came up from Eastbourne that morning in his 1976 Bertram42 which he had part exchanged against a brand new Meridian34 flybridge which he had just bought from the show. The trip up was to take delivery from Hamble Point marina.
He had done the normal handover and his departure was delayed due to jobs needing to be completed. They had just set off down the river from Hamble Point and had only travelled 3-4 miles... to Calshot Spit.
Paul opened her up to about 18 knots and thought that something sounded wrong like a blown turbo. He turned the boat round to head back and said to John, "Just keep her steady" as a warning light came up, "Check Engine." Moments later flames shot out from the port rear and they had no time to fight the fire. Emergency call and then immediate launch of the life raft.
Within seconds flames engulfed the back of the boat and they had to choose between raft or water as their jackets were in flames!
I just spoke with Paul on his way home from Southampton hospital. They're both OK but obviously shaken, with minor burns on hands and blisters. He was very complimentary about the life boat as they were on the scene in minutes.
I asked if he had been put off boating and he said that he doubted if he'd ever buy a new boat again.
At this point we've no real idea what caused the fire.
strakeryrius
Well-Known Member
I do hope the poor guy is properly insured on his "brand new" boat? Hopefully the dealers will do the decent thing, but if not where does he stand?
PowerYachtBlog
Well-Known Member
Being a new boat this might well end up to be still a gurantee situation.
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
Amazing how quickly a life threatening incident can occur, so glade they are both OK. (thanks for posting insider info RogerRat)
When you hear what occurred I think of a blown fuel / oil line....but would not explain strange noise, perhaps turbo issue, but whatever it was ended up with massive temperature igniting everything it could in the engine room very quickly!!...
When you hear what occurred I think of a blown fuel / oil line....but would not explain strange noise, perhaps turbo issue, but whatever it was ended up with massive temperature igniting everything it could in the engine room very quickly!!...
jimmy_the_builder
Well-Known Member
What a terrible shame, of course a great relief that nobody was seriously hurt, but nevertheless a traumatic event for all. Rog, send best wishes to your chums, hope that their insurance sorts things out easily and quickly for them. All the best.
Cheers
Jimmy
Cheers
Jimmy
RogerRat
Well-Known Member
Yes, cheers Jimmy, I'llk post an update when I know more but as the boat was new and propely insured, I expect the losses will be handled by the dealer and insurance company.
Not so sure about loss of confidence though
Not so sure about loss of confidence though
gjgm
Well-Known Member
Hell.. fire or freezing water.. thankfully they are ok.
I had always thought/hoped the engine bay extinguishers would put out any fires. Seems not.
I had always thought/hoped the engine bay extinguishers would put out any fires. Seems not.
A common thing to forget when commissioning a brand new boat is the removal of the safety "arming" pins in auto extinguishers. It may well be that these had been left in.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Thanks Roger, one of the reports said that the two men suffered "serious burns", so i'm glad to hear that's not the case.
RogerRat
Well-Known Member
I suppose any burns in those circumstances are quite serious. Their jackets caught on fire, one had bubbled and melted, hands blistered and hair had a singe cut so not too nice and bloody frightening, I would think.
I'll be in touch some time today to hear if any more developments and report back if able.
nicho
RIP
What an awful sight. That reminds me, my liferaft is due for a service, not that we'll ever need it of course.................
DAKA
Well-Known Member
I am pleased to hear they are reasonably well after their ordeal and wish them a speedy recovery.
You just dont expect flames to engulf a diesel boat that quickly and before the engines were really warm.
I keep my life raft in the aft cock pit which wouldnt be a lot of use in these circumstances.
Anyone keep them on top of a flybridge ?
splosh
Well-Known Member
Agreed - I have seen many an engine room with the Auto fire extinguisher safety pin still engaged. Anyhow, thank god the boys are okay and very prudent to have a lift raft.
splosh
Well-Known Member
Certainly Do! and its vertical and ready to launch over the side with quick release, Plus it sits in a cradle about 1 foot off the floor so that if it needs to be deployed by hand it's not going to be a back breaker. So many people also keep them in their Lazerette? WHY?
epervier
Well-Known Member
vanity perhaps, spoils the line/look of the boat with a plastic egg strapped on the foredeck/flybridge.
stelican
Well-Known Member
I believe that the "arming pin" only prevents the manual operation of the extinguisher and does not interfere with the heat sensored auto operation,However I have seen quite a few boat engine room fires were you would expect the fire extinguishers to be sufficent and this has not been the case
activesail
Well-Known Member
As an ex-Fire Safety Officer..
I am absolutely appalled how quickly this fire spread from the engine compartment. I would have thought that there should be some element of fire resistant separation between the engine compartment and the rest of the vessel.
The fact that the occupants suffered burns in such a short time certainly raises questions about the boats design. I do not know off hand the requirements of boat design and fire safety or exactly how the fire started. However I would expect the engine room construction to be able to withstand a fire for a minimal amount of time, which would allow the occupants time to make an attempt at extinguishing the fire or make a safe escape.
If this incident had happened further out too sea, their lives would certainly have been at risk.
An accident report will certainly be off interest. Particularly if it investigates the circumstances which contributed to such a rapid fire spread.
I am absolutely appalled how quickly this fire spread from the engine compartment. I would have thought that there should be some element of fire resistant separation between the engine compartment and the rest of the vessel.
The fact that the occupants suffered burns in such a short time certainly raises questions about the boats design. I do not know off hand the requirements of boat design and fire safety or exactly how the fire started. However I would expect the engine room construction to be able to withstand a fire for a minimal amount of time, which would allow the occupants time to make an attempt at extinguishing the fire or make a safe escape.
If this incident had happened further out too sea, their lives would certainly have been at risk.
An accident report will certainly be off interest. Particularly if it investigates the circumstances which contributed to such a rapid fire spread.
strakeryrius
Well-Known Member
From what I saw in the report she had burned right down so that there wasn't much left above the waterline, and its reported that she sank. Do they anticipate that there is likely to be any argy-bargy between the insurance company and the dealers as to who is liable? Will they have to refloat what remains of her to resolve any dispute?
I can foresee that the insurers might try to pin the blame on faulty prep by the commissioning dealers and refuse to pay up on the basis that it should be a warranty issue. Any news on that front?