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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Tue Dec 02 2003 - 22:14:31 EST
In a message dated 12/1/2003 11:30:41 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
> Did anyone hear about the trawler fire in St. Augustine. My wife heard a
> brief account on the Sunday night news (trawler fire, liveaboards,
> everything lost). Nothing in the morning paper. Thanks in advance.
>
>
Yes.
It was a brand new trawler on it's maiden run from up north. A retired
couple and their little black dog lived on it. When it first caught fire it was
tied up (so we heard) to a green floater not more than a hundred yards from us.
I only wish I had known. We are very sensitive to the danger signal. There
were no whistles. I have a Brigs powered two inch pump with firehose and
nozzle and might have been able to fight the fire. But by the time we were aware
of the fire the local cops had it towed to the flats north of the anchorage
and were letting it burn.
The couple and their dog escaped in their dinghy. They were on TV that
night. The skipper said he lifted the engine room hatch and could only see black
smoke and no flames to squirt a fire extinguisher at. They couldn't think of
anything to do about it but to abandon ship.
I suspect it was an electrical fire.
I suggest everyone have a way to kill the house battery supply and hook the
starting battery only to the starter. If the start battery is hooked to loads
other than the starter, have a switch outside the engine room to turn off the
supply.
I am also planning to create a substantial vent system with a large (the 12
volt fans they sell to attach to the radiator of a car) to clear out the smoke
so I could see to fight the fire.
Jan got they impression that they were not destitute, but even so there were
many offers of help from the local boating community.
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying St Augustine
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