Boat explosion and tragedy - Long Island, NY

Bear Islander · 08-21-2014, 07:53 PM

It would have been nice is you had mentioned that it was Long Island NY not Moltonboro.

NH_boater · 08-21-2014, 08:40 PM

You are right. I cut and paste the title from another source and did not even think of our long island, only the long island. Sorry if this caused any confusion or concern.

VitaBene · 08-22-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

It would have been nice is you had mentioned that it was Long Island NY not Moltonboro.

The link indicated NY without opening it.

Great safety discussion!

znh · 09-04-2014, 01:55 PM

We refuel at multiple locations, but mostly at Fay's. We often ask if they want the people and kids off the boat and the girls always say it's not necessary. We have never had a single gas attendant at any location tell us to have the people get off the boat. I know it is our responsibility as the 'captain' and boat owner but I find it odd that at every gas place they are very lackadaisical about people being on the boat or not...

SIKSUKR · 09-11-2014, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znh

We refuel at multiple locations, but mostly at Fay's. We often ask if they want the people and kids off the boat and the girls always say it's not necessary. We have never had a single gas attendant at any location tell us to have the people get off the boat. I know it is our responsibility as the 'captain' and boat owner but I find it odd that at every gas place they are very lackadaisical about people being on the boat or not...

There very rarely is a problem with the refueling. The same explosion probably would have occurred because it is usually while starting the engines that ignited the fumes. Your passengers would all probably be back on board. You could however have your passengers get off while restarting and then reboard.

jrc · 09-11-2014, 03:37 PM

I think the workers at gas docks are just trying not to upset their customers. If they demand that all the passengers disembark, some customers will be upset. That could mean a smaller tip or a complaint to their boss.

These accidents are rare especially on a well maintained boat. It's very unlikely these workers ever observed a boat fire. I can count on one hand the number of times I heard one reported at the lake.

Ultimately you are responsible for your own safety.

LIforrelaxin · 09-11-2014, 04:26 PM

Alright this has been a very well balanced talk about safety... And certainly all these steps are good guidelines.

However most times when these explosions happen, there is very little evidence of what really caused the explosion. In that light lets look at some things discussed here.

People disembarking the boat: Last I knew a person could not create a spark involuntarily. People can however move around the boat, causing an attitude shift in the boat potentially contributing to a spill... That is really what that specific portion of the guidelines are about. This problem is particularly an issue on smaller vessels.

Now as mentioned here, certain marine parts should not be substituted with car parts. This extends to all electrical components. For the simple issue of creating a spark.

Now separate out those two issues, the guidelines for fueling a boat are really no different then when fueling your car. With the exception of having to run the blower for a few minutes.

I think in the end most times these explosions are brought on by poor maintenance procedures. Not running your blower is a maintenance procedure prior to starting your boat. Not opening the engine compartment and checking for issues is a maintenance issue. You should be checking oil and other fluids, as well is looking for leaks and any potential issues. Installing car parts instead of marine grade parts is a maintenance issue.... I could go on but I will not.

The Bottom line is Maintain your vessel properly and the risk of an explosion is very small.

jrc · 09-11-2014, 05:16 PM

Good summary.

I think disembarking passengers is more about less people to get hurt should a fire or explosion happen.

Another important safety feature is a marine carburetor, again don't replace a marine carb with an auto carb, the fuel bowl vents can put vapors in the bilge. Better yet fuel injection is much safer and available in a lot of new boats.

dave603 · 09-11-2014, 08:23 PM

Good except, your forgetting weather conditions.
Sometimes, even around here it can be extremely dry. Many boats have carpet installed, increasing the risk of a static discharge. ( yes even lots of boat carpet can cause it combined with what you happen to be wearing )
I mentioned this in a past threat, when someone questioned me about why I was running my blower before launch.
Always get off the boat when refueling, and always sniff test, then run the blower before you start. (my old navy chief used to say at least ten minutes)
One other thing to watch, even though I always do, is watch the refueler to make sure there are no spills into or onto the boat. Any static and you can start a fire.

09-11-2014, 04:26 PM	#7
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,970 Thanks: 1,064 Thanked 912 Times in 539 Posts	Alright this has been a very well balanced talk about safety... And certainly all these steps are good guidelines. However most times when these explosions happen, there is very little evidence of what really caused the explosion. In that light lets look at some things discussed here. People disembarking the boat: Last I knew a person could not create a spark involuntarily. People can however move around the boat, causing an attitude shift in the boat potentially contributing to a spill... That is really what that specific portion of the guidelines are about. This problem is particularly an issue on smaller vessels. Now as mentioned here, certain marine parts should not be substituted with car parts. This extends to all electrical components. For the simple issue of creating a spark. Now separate out those two issues, the guidelines for fueling a boat are really no different then when fueling your car. With the exception of having to run the blower for a few minutes. I think in the end most times these explosions are brought on by poor maintenance procedures. Not running your blower is a maintenance procedure prior to starting your boat. Not opening the engine compartment and checking for issues is a maintenance issue. You should be checking oil and other fluids, as well is looking for leaks and any potential issues. Installing car parts instead of marine grade parts is a maintenance issue.... I could go on but I will not. The Bottom line is Maintain your vessel properly and the risk of an explosion is very small. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

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08-21-2014, 07:53 PM	#1
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,766 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	It would have been nice is you had mentioned that it was Long Island NY not Moltonboro.

The Following User Says Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
ishoot308 (08-21-2014)

08-21-2014, 08:40 PM	#2
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	You are right. I cut and paste the title from another source and did not even think of our long island, only the long island. Sorry if this caused any confusion or concern.

09-04-2014, 01:55 PM	#4
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	We refuel at multiple locations, but mostly at Fay's. We often ask if they want the people and kids off the boat and the girls always say it's not necessary. We have never had a single gas attendant at any location tell us to have the people get off the boat. I know it is our responsibility as the 'captain' and boat owner but I find it odd that at every gas place they are very lackadaisical about people being on the boat or not...

09-11-2014, 03:37 PM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I think the workers at gas docks are just trying not to upset their customers. If they demand that all the passengers disembark, some customers will be upset. That could mean a smaller tip or a complaint to their boss. These accidents are rare especially on a well maintained boat. It's very unlikely these workers ever observed a boat fire. I can count on one hand the number of times I heard one reported at the lake. Ultimately you are responsible for your own safety.

09-11-2014, 05:16 PM	#8
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Good summary. I think disembarking passengers is more about less people to get hurt should a fire or explosion happen. Another important safety feature is a marine carburetor, again don't replace a marine carb with an auto carb, the fuel bowl vents can put vapors in the bilge. Better yet fuel injection is much safer and available in a lot of new boats.

09-11-2014, 08:23 PM	#9
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	Good except, your forgetting weather conditions. Sometimes, even around here it can be extremely dry. Many boats have carpet installed, increasing the risk of a static discharge. ( yes even lots of boat carpet can cause it combined with what you happen to be wearing ) I mentioned this in a past threat, when someone questioned me about why I was running my blower before launch. Always get off the boat when refueling, and always sniff test, then run the blower before you start. (my old navy chief used to say at least ten minutes) One other thing to watch, even though I always do, is watch the refueler to make sure there are no spills into or onto the boat. Any static and you can start a fire.