49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

[Home Cookin']

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

I'm surprised that someone hasn't come up with a means to seal a fuel tank to prevent leaking after a sinking where the tank itself isn't ruptured.
I understand the need to vent the tank to replace the used fuel with air, but it seems there should be a way to devise an airlock, or something like an anti-syphon, one-direction flow device, whatever.

It seems the primary focus on salvage now is about the fuel. I know of a boat here that grounded, and USCG said could not be removed until a pro dealt with and certified the fuel being contained; meanwhile a storm came in a few days later and destroyed the boat that until then had inconsequential damage. It's a big deal even for smaller boats now.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Yes, fuel clean up is a top priority. In these pictures from the NW, this diver is trying to plug the leak before the boat is raised. You can see how much fuel is there. What a mess.

After some time, this boat was finally raised.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Most of the posters here have boats under 24' and many are day-trailer boaters. Most seem to be on fresh water. There are a few with smaller cruisers, fresh and salt, and some of those are trailered. So the questions come largely from those perspectives.

Funny, I was tempted to write almost the same to explain the source of our ignorance. I figure the OP probably won't be back as this is definitely NOT the type of forum he would frequent. I racked his response up to the fact that many are probably pointing fingers at him, and he's a bit defensive right now.

Imagine, I too am sorry for your loss.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Hello, one of the owners here... the boat sank as described due to the ice in the exhaust hose (which is under the waterline)... ice crept to the muffler (which is not accessible without demolishing the interior of the mid-state room). Either broke the clamp, fitting, muffler or a combination of all. Muffler hose is 4". Boat sank quickly we're told. Boat is a total loss, most personal belongings lost due to salt water (electronics shot & took 2 days to refloat), or diesel fuel contamination (we carried 700 gallons). There are 80-90 others living in our marina, so for those who say "haul" in the winter don't understand. Boston Harbor even away from the fresh-ish water of the Charles River can & does freeze up in the very cold which we have been having this year.

In the future - I'd recommend winterizing the engines AND inserting a nerf football in the exhaust in the Fall.

Also, the boat was far from JUNK, she had 5 year old Yanmark 375's on board with just 500 hours, most of our neighbors are professionals with jobs - the ignorance of some of the posters here is rather amazing. And... to the person who's 1st question ?! is how did the bow break off? The bow broke off because we have a 12 foot tide in Boston Harbor, and the bow was at one point under the dock which floats. When the boat rose after it was under the dock, the bowsprit broke off.

View attachment 223906

Welcome aboard, wish it were in better circumstances.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Hello, one of the owners here... the boat sank as described due to the ice in the exhaust hose (which is under the waterline)... ice crept to the muffler (which is not accessible without demolishing the interior of the mid-state room). Either broke the clamp, fitting, muffler or a combination of all. Muffler hose is 4". Boat sank quickly we're told. Boat is a total loss, most personal belongings lost due to salt water (electronics shot & took 2 days to refloat), or diesel fuel contamination (we carried 700 gallons). There are 80-90 others living in our marina, so for those who say "haul" in the winter don't understand. Boston Harbor even away from the fresh-ish water of the Charles River can & does freeze up in the very cold which we have been having this year.

In the future - I'd recommend winterizing the engines AND inserting a nerf football in the exhaust in the Fall.

Also, the boat was far from JUNK, she had 5 year old Yanmark 375's on board with just 500 hours, most of our neighbors are professionals with jobs - the ignorance of some of the posters here is rather amazing. And... to the person who's 1st question ?! is how did the bow break off? The bow broke off because we have a 12 foot tide in Boston Harbor, and the bow was at one point under the dock which floats. When the boat rose after it was under the dock, the bowsprit broke off.

Imagine - can't tell you how sorry I am about the boat. Especially if she was a live aboard, your loss has to be even more significant.

Thank God no one was injured or lost.

 

[imagine]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Really? I read the posts & it appears most felt sorry for your loss, and wondered what was the cause?

I'd say a pretty good example of ignorance is someone allowing his or his boat to sink next to the dock. Had you taken the proper precautions, done the proper maintenence, and/or kept a closer eye on your vessel, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Odd how none of your 80-90 neighbors, or marina staff, noticed the boat sinking. Hmm.

Lighten up. Nobody here sank your boat. It was you & mother nature.

That said I do hope you get it all sorted out and are back on the water again. Brazil sounds like a purty cool cruise ...

----
Hello, I apologize for my "ignorance" comment, I've had 3 boats over the past 12 years, and lived on 2 of them. The professional surveyor stated that the exhaust hose was in an inaccessible location, maintenance was not an issue - ice and cold weather was. The hose was 4" and we had 4 high capacity bilge pumps operating on the boat - the volume of water coming in was too much for the pumps. The boat sank quickly according to all reports and without knowing WHERE the water was coming in, plugging the leak was impossible. Yes, 80-90 others were at the marina, and in the winter time we generally are not outside at 6 am. Nothing could have been done. The lesson for the future perhaps, if you keep a boat in the water (this was a 49' motor yacht with 3 bedrooms/staterooms, 3 heads/bathrooms, large salon (couch, 2 side chairs, table), galley/kitchen with seating for 7); is possibly to "cork" the exhausts with something like a nerf football in the fall - and don't forget to remove it in the spring!

Brazil was beautiful, 85 degrees, people were wonderful, food was good (lots of seafood).

 

[JoLin]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

I wonder if a plumbing supply might have a rubber expansion plug or similar that would fit the bill. I'd make darn sure that whatever I used isn't porous- not sure if a 'nerf' is or isn't.

 

[Stratusair]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Glad to see your craft floating again. Hopefully she's salvageable and you can get on with things or at least have good insurance. I was a live aboard right next door at Shipyard Quarters during the early to mid nineties. There was a couple very cold winters then and this winter has been very cold as well, I'm sure very challenging.
Good Luck! I hope all turns out well.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

I wonder if a plumbing supply might have a rubber expansion plug or similar that would fit the bill. I'd make darn sure that whatever I used isn't porous- not sure if a 'nerf' is or isn't.

Plumbers use "balloons" with a schrader valve for testing drains...like this! I can see the merit!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Wonder if it would make sense to set up some sort of bubbler lines through the exhaust, maybe through one of the exhaust manifold drain cocks.

 

[pckeen]

Re: 49-foot boat sinks in Constitution Marina in Charlestown

Hi Imagine,

Welcome aboard, though I'm guessing that with your boat, you would have a thing or two to teach the rest of us. Best of luck recovering from this - the first few days after a disaster are always the worst....not lived through a boat sinking....but have lived through a home destruction....Hopefully it will all turn out for the best!