D
DJ
Guest
I also posted this on "engines and motors" Just a reminder to us all.<br /><br />Wheels4,<br />I mentioned in my last posting that I had seen a boat explode. We outies are much less likely to have that happen, however SAFETY is paramount. Let me share the story.<br /><br />I was ready to go fishing out of Chalmette, LA in the early eighties. About 50 yards away was a 28-30 ft. Bertram with gas burners that had just refueled. There were two guys aboard.<br />After fueling, the guy behind the wheel hit the ignition key and all hell broke loose.<br />The second guy that was standing in the cockpit on the engine hatches was blown about 2o feet into the air followed by a huge mushroom fireball. He landed in the water about 30 feet from the boat. Believe it or not he was still conscious and commenced swimming to shore. All he suffered was a broken ankle and was scared out of his wits.<br /><br />The guy at the controls was blown forward into the dash of the boat and suffered some nasty facial cuts. The only thing that saved him was the bulkhead betweeen the cockpit and the pilothouse. He to, miraculously, was still conscious and jumped out and swam before the whole thing burst into flames.<br />The boat basically burned to the waterline.<br /><br />As I mentioned, I was a good fifty yards away and I was nearly thrown off the dock. The heat was incredible.<br /><br />Just a word to the wise-be careful out there-gasoline and particularly its fumes are deadly.<br /><br />I don't want to scare you innies, just make sure you check those fuel connections often and ALWAYS vent those bilges thoroughly. <br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------