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From: Lee Haefele (no email)
Date: Wed Dec 03 2003 - 16:33:48 EST
I had a 14 gauge wire short out on a truck outside. The smoke was so thick that you couldn't get near it. I think it would take a large fan to clear the air in a boat on fire. I always wonder about carrying a compact pump, I would have room for a 120V electric, any recommendations?
Lee Haefele
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: lv-ab: Boat Fire St. Augustine...
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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