Lake Union Boat Explosion and Fire

[Harlen]

Two injured, one hospitalized with non-life treatening injuries.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_boat_explosion.html

[Stray Cat]

Kids, be careful out there!

[Go Aweigh2452]

Looks like an older boat...

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/M_IMAGE.11fad1529cc.93.88.fa.d0.12095821.jpg

The 25- to 30-foot cabin cruiser was cut free from the refueling pump as smoke billowed skyward, and Harbor Patrol fire crews quickly arrived on scene to extinguish the flames as it drifted toward other watercraft.

A 60-foot yacht was damaged when the cabin cruiser came into contact with it.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a "boom" as the boat caught fire, and thousands of people around the lake saw the column of black smoke pour into the sky.

About two dozen fire trucks responded about 11:50 a.m. Saturday to the marina, in the 2700 block of Westlake Avenue North. Westlake Avenue North was briefly closed.

Fire crews later determined that the blaze started when the boat's hot engine ignited gas vapors during the refueling.

[Nehalennia]

Looks like an older boat...

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/M_IMAGE.11fad1529cc.93.88.fa.d0.12095821.jpg

The 25- to 30-foot cabin cruiser was cut free from the refueling pump as smoke billowed skyward, and Harbor Patrol fire crews quickly arrived on scene to extinguish the flames as it drifted toward other watercraft.

A 60-foot yacht was damaged when the cabin cruiser came into contact with it.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a "boom" as the boat caught fire, and thousands of people around the lake saw the column of black smoke pour into the sky.

About two dozen fire trucks responded about 11:50 a.m. Saturday to the marina, in the 2700 block of Westlake Avenue North. Westlake Avenue North was briefly closed.

Fire crews later determined that the blaze started when the boat's hot engine ignited gas vapors during the refueling.

Sounds like it was at Morrison's Fuel dock, just East of the Fremont bridge.

[rodell]

Why I LIKE diesel!

I had an injector spring a leak on the Cummins - in a gas engine it would have been a disaster! I also see people not getting off the boat during refueling operations - this should be a reminder.

[Randygh]

While refueling, the Admiral is off the boat walking the mutts. My boat has a bilge sniffer, but I frequently lift a cockpit floorboard and sniff myself. I run the bilge fan for several minutes prior to starting.

One of my uncles was killed years ago on Rimrock Lake. He and aunt were in a small I/O boat. They had anchored and fished and when he attempted to start the engine, he flooded it. He proceeded to remove the air filter and poor gas into the carb while aunt cranked the engine. Kaboom. Uncle hit his head on the gunnel when he was blown out of the boat. Knocked him out and he drowned. Sad, but really dumb on his part.

[sunnydude2]

My teammate at hockey is on the Harbor Patrol that responded. The owner of the boat is a seaman on the Lincoln. Had just purchased the boat 2 hours prior to this happening! Was filling up and didn't run the blower. Boat was towed over to the Harbor Patrol yard where it sank. The owner did have liability coverage but a crew was called out for cleanup and he is looking at a 10k clean up bill as his policy did not cover.

[Chass]

Wow, what a bummer for a new boat owner.

Liability only . . . thats just silly considering how cheap boat insurance is.

Chass
ct

[SomeSailor]

He'd probably just picked it up and thought he'd get a quick run in. I wonder if he called his insurance agent and let him know he was buying the boat and if he'd actually gotten a policy?

[Nehalennia]

My teammate at hockey is on the Harbor Patrol that responded. The owner of the boat is a seaman on the Lincoln. Had just purchased the boat 2 hours prior to this happening! Was filling up and didn't run the blower. Boat was towed over to the Harbor Patrol yard where it sank. The owner did have liability coverage but a crew was called out for cleanup and he is looking at a 10k clean up bill as his policy did not cover.

Sounds like there were more issues with the boat than just running the blower.
So hey After the checked cleared today for $8k (or whatever) he gets to pay the city(which he probably doesn't reside in) for clean-up