Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
Personal experience;-
Engine fire.
Went below to write up the log on the hour.
Found substantial flames exiting the engine space.
Immediately shouted "Fire, Fire, Fire".
Consequence was wife shut down.
Grabbed the CO2 extinguisher and filled the engine space.
Fire abated sightly.
Stuck up head to fill lungs with air. (Noticed wife seized up).
Descended again and delivered a longer dose.
Fire very much reduced.
Resurfaced to take a breath.
Delivered another dose.
Fire extinguished.
Added a dose of water to cool things down.
Killed engine by shutting off air supply (big mistake).
Couldn't restart engine.
Called coastguard and asked for a tow into Tenby.
They promptly responded and all was well.
Reason for fire was an elderly start solenoid with dirt that tracked across between positive and negative. (Still hard to understand).
Tenby harbour master incredibly helpful.
Starter motor and solenoid replaced (with unbelievable difficulty) and all well.
Second fire.
"Can you smell wood smoke?".
Must be a barbie.
Smell persisted.
Feet hot in cockpit.
Smell stronger.
Consequence;- prolonged anchor recovery caused continuous high current at a through-bulkhead connection (which was insufficiently tightened and made with stainless fittings).
Easily extinguihsed with a couple of squirts of CO2.
Conclusion;
CO2 is the way to go IF you remember to breathe.
Engine fire.
Went below to write up the log on the hour.
Found substantial flames exiting the engine space.
Immediately shouted "Fire, Fire, Fire".
Consequence was wife shut down.
Grabbed the CO2 extinguisher and filled the engine space.
Fire abated sightly.
Stuck up head to fill lungs with air. (Noticed wife seized up).
Descended again and delivered a longer dose.
Fire very much reduced.
Resurfaced to take a breath.
Delivered another dose.
Fire extinguished.
Added a dose of water to cool things down.
Killed engine by shutting off air supply (big mistake).
Couldn't restart engine.
Called coastguard and asked for a tow into Tenby.
They promptly responded and all was well.
Reason for fire was an elderly start solenoid with dirt that tracked across between positive and negative. (Still hard to understand).
Tenby harbour master incredibly helpful.
Starter motor and solenoid replaced (with unbelievable difficulty) and all well.
Second fire.
"Can you smell wood smoke?".
Must be a barbie.
Smell persisted.
Feet hot in cockpit.
Smell stronger.
Consequence;- prolonged anchor recovery caused continuous high current at a through-bulkhead connection (which was insufficiently tightened and made with stainless fittings).
Easily extinguihsed with a couple of squirts of CO2.
Conclusion;
CO2 is the way to go IF you remember to breathe.
