Hull Explosion

[chriscraft254]

Re: Hull Explosion

this thread makes me love my outboards even more!

Also I have to wonder if the Florida case could have been propane/bottled gas? is that used anywhere on boats that size? I just can't see gasoline fumes blowing up without a fire afterwards, plus a guy was in the cabin and it looks like that's where it blew.

Outboards is no garrantee. there are many outboard boats that blow up every year from fumes from fuel tanks etc. Most boats that do blow up are carburated I/O or inboards though, do to the burn off after shutdown. The refueling just adds to these fumes.

Explsions alot of times have no fire. Or atleast not a lasting fire. It burns off so fast it can't be seen alot of times. .

 

[joed]

Re: Hull Explosion

Blowers off when refueling.

When no fumes are present, turn blowers on.

Be patient and wait.

Fire her up. Well, maybe that's a poor choice of words.

Please help educate me I run an outboard. If there are no fumes present WHY do you need the blower? I thought the blower was to get rid of the fumes.

 

[V153]

Re: Hull Explosion

Yup, OBs can blow up/catch fire too. I think what alotta people forget, or don't know, is fuel vapor is heavier than air. So even if you have a good sniffer unless yer kneeling face to the floor, you might not smell it.

Explosion without fire is totally possible'n I'll give you a perfect example. Couple months ago I was sittin right here'n heard a loud BOOM! that rattled the windows. By the time I thought wtf was that, another BOOM! BOOM! in rapid succesion. Jumped in the truck'n drove a few blocks over. Found the house 'bout the same time the cops'n firemen did. Single story concrete block house with every window'n door blown out of it. No major fire but a really weird stench in the air.

I thought 'Meth Lab' at first but turns out the fuel supply was a trio of respiratory oxygen bottles. Not sure the source of ignition was ever determined.

 

[Philster]

Re: Hull Explosion

Please help educate me I run an outboard. If there are no fumes present WHY do you need the blower? I thought the blower was to get rid of the fumes.

When no fumes are present around the blower intake is what I should have said. In other words, don't turn on the blowers just to draw in fumes. Often, when refueling, given the layout of docks/boats, you just suck in a lot of fumes when the blower runs. Also, you could be drawing them in and the lightest of breezes on the other side keep them in.

Like everything else catastrophic, it usually takes 2-3 or more things all to go wrong in a specific order, at a specific time.

(Bilge blowers drawn in from one side and exhaust out the other to create an exchange. In the wrong set of circumstances, you can draw in fumes and they could be stuck there).

The first kaboom I saw was an outboard on a trailer. Tanks were slid under the rear seat/well area, along with the battery... and the bilge pump was back there too, of course. A vinyl flap hung down to section the area off, so two old tanks, with a fuel line, a battery and bilge pump nearby added up to a BOOM.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Hull Explosion

coming soon to your local cregslist

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Hull Explosion

Just ran across this in our local news. A 30 something foot Wellcraft named The Bonnie Lee had the top cap blown 5 feet into the air when they were refueling it in Titusville. They had the blowers running and luckily no one was killed. Just goes to show you can never be too careful at the refueling dock. They were doing everything correctly.

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/35-foot-boat-explodes-titusville-marina/nPLdc/

WOW, just around the corner from us.

If I am refueling on the water, I open up the engine compartment and run the blower. No sense taking a chance.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Hull Explosion

Read any boat owners manual-- Blower OFF, radios OFF, key(s) OFF during refuling. After you've finished, run the blower for 4 minutes and do a sniff test for fumes. If you have a breach in the fuel lines, 4 minutes won't evacutate the vapors...it's there for the boat that doesn't have any leaks. The sniff test (or working fume detector) is the best back up.

Just because you have an outboard doesn't mean you're safe. The last two boats with outboards I owned had integrated tanks under the floor. If it leaks (or the fuel line), where do you think the fuel is going? Into the bilge! Where are you batteries located? Usually behind a transom access door, with direct access to the bilge. I always opened the access hatch to the bilge after filling just to do a sniff test...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Hull Explosion

Read any boat owners manual-- Blower OFF, radios OFF, key(s) OFF during refuling. After you've finished, run the blower for 4 minutes and do a sniff test for fumes. If you have a breach in the fuel lines, 4 minutes won't evacutate the vapors...it's there for the boat that doesn't have any leaks. The sniff test (or working fume detector) is the best back up.

Just because you have an outboard doesn't mean you're safe. The last two boats with outboards I owned had integrated tanks under the floor. If it leaks (or the fuel line), where do you think the fuel is going? Into the bilge! Where are you batteries located? Usually behind a transom access door, with direct access to the bilge. I always opened the access hatch to the bilge after filling just to do a sniff test...

And make sure all of your components are "marine" parts. Starters, Alternators, Carbs. I bet they either had a non marine part, or a neglected worn out part that sparked it. Maybe a fuel leak too. Likely did not run their blowers. I would think that a marine fueling location would insist on certain safety procedures too. An explosion that close to a gas pump could get ugly.

 

[salty87]

Re: Hull Explosion

coming soon to your local cregslist

easy stringer inspection access too

 

[V153]

Re: Hull Explosion

easy stringer inspection access too

Removable hardtop convertable ...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hull Explosion

The second and third video were worse, stopped watching when I got to the fourth.

But Peter Marks is absolutely right, never sit on top of the engine in the bow. ??

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Hull Explosion

Just to add, old or even new plastic fuel tanks actually will let some fuel through the skin of the tank. Can't remember what the acceptable percentage is, but this is also a good reason to run the blower before stating motor if you don't have metal /aluminum tanks.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Hull Explosion

Blowers not running while fueling. Then smell for gas and then turn them on. That is the one of the dumbest things I have ever heard anyone say. By the way in Florida, but what do we know about boating, everyone gets OFF THE BOAT when the boat is being fueled with gas. The blowers are running and the hatch SHOULD be open.

 

[nikon]

Re: Hull Explosion

^^ you should read your owners manual again.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Hull Explosion

^^^^ X2^^^^ But he probably thinks the manual is wrong also. :facepalm: makes me glad I do most my fueling up on land and not next to the guys trying to blow there boats up,lol

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Hull Explosion

OK, explosion, no fire. Thus fumes only.

Coast Guard Auxillary course I took years ago told us to close the cabin door while fueling because the heavier than air gas fumes will go down into the cabin.

75 year old guy in the cabin probably left the door open. Boom when 2nd engine misfired!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Hull Explosion

OK, explosion, no fire. Thus fumes only.

Coast Guard Auxillary course I took years ago told us to close the cabin door while fueling because the heavier than air gas fumes will go down into the cabin.

75 year old guy in the cabin probably left the door open. Boom when 2nd engine misfired!

X2 all hatches closed, windows etc.

 

[V153]

Re: Hull Explosion

That is just absolutely insane how the top hull of that boat blew straight off. Never seen anything like it.

I hear ya. Seen alotta crazy boat related sh*t but never quite anything like that.

Though it has me thinking, as I'm experiencing a few problems popping the top off my Carlson C500 project boat. Hmm ... Anybody know the correct fuel/air mixture to git'r done? Best source of ignition ...?

 

[jl_photo]

Re: Hull Explosion

I have seen a few of these unfortunate accidents.

Remember these maintenance points for fuel systems. Our government is out to get all boaters, modern gasoline is very bad for boats.

Alcohol and MTBE fuel additives attack rubber. There are few if any rubber fuel lines and gaskets that are completely resistant to them. Some common gasket materials actually liquify in the presence of gas with MTBE.

MTBE also attacks some plastics.

Steel gas tanks are dangerous and can fail suddenly. inboard steel tanks are not that common but should be replaced. Alcohol in modern fuel attracts water with causes steel tanks to rust even faster.

If you have aluminum tanks, be certain that no brass, copper or steel can touch any part of the tank. These dissimilar metals cause rapid corrosion. A dropped fish hook or washer could eat a hole in your tank under certain conditions.

Starters, Alternators, Distributors, and other electrical equipment should be "Marine Rated" not automotive. Marine equipment is designed to contain sparks to prevent explosions.

Carburators must have flame arrestors in undamaged condition. If your engine has a tendency to backfire get it fixed.

Electrical connections should be soldered especially around salt water.

Make sure the spark plug wires are in good condition.

And just to make your whole boating experience better, get a very good water separating filter for your fuel system. I prefer one with a clear bowl below a canister so any water is visible and can be drained.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Hull Explosion

Blowers not running while fueling. Then smell for gas and then turn them on. That is the one of the dumbest things I have ever heard anyone say. By the way in Florida, but what do we know about boating, everyone gets OFF THE BOAT when the boat is being fueled with gas. The blowers are running and the hatch SHOULD be open.

...well, at least you got one part correct...


BTW Kahuna123, I pulled a random boat owners manual from the web (this one being a Sea Ray), and here is what was in the manual...:

Before Fueling

• Fuel during daylight hours.
• Tie boat to the dock.
• Shut off engine, bilge blower and all other electrical equipment.• Shut off gas burning appliances (gas stove, etc.).
• Close all hatches, doors and keep engine compartment closed to prevent gasoline fumes from entering the cabin or cockpit area.
• All passengers must leave the boat, as a precaution.
• There must be no smoking or any flames within 20 feet of the boat, before, during and for at least 5 minutes after fueling is completed.
• Open fuel fill cap and insert hose nozzle into the fuel fill opening. Fuel fill hose nozzle must contact the fuel fill opening BEFORE adding fuel and throughout the fueling process to prevent discharge of static electricity.

Filling the Tanks

• Check the fill plate label to ensure that fuel is placed ONLY in the fuel tank. The fuel fill plates are located on the port and starboard mid or aft deck areas.
• Keep nozzle in contact with fuel fill opening at all times during fueling.
• Listen as tank fills and stop adding fuel before it spills. Fuel must have room for expansion.

After Filling

• DO NOT wash spilled fuel overboard. Wipe up any spill with rags or paper towels and dispose of them properly on shore.
• Open engine compartment and check for fuel fumes. This is especially important if your boat is equipped with a gasoline engine. Leave compartment open until no odor is apparent. Close compartment.
• If fumes in the engine compartment do not disappear, do not turn on blower or start engine. Get help from trained and experienced persons before using the boat.
• Turn on blower for four (4) minutes, then restart engine.
• Assist passengers back into the boat.