- Joined
- Feb 23, 2004
- RO Number
- 12830
- Messages
- 674
My buddy was working on his boat at the San Leandro Marina. They noticed smoke coming from across the marina. They thought it was a BBQ. As the smoke intensified they noticed flames. They left their boat and climbed the ramp up to the parking lot. They could see flames coming out of a sailboat hatch across the harbor. They ran to the next gate where the burning sailboat was and found their access cards wouldn't open the gate. Fortunately, another boater let them in. By this time, the flames were roaring out the hatch and the deck of the boat was radiating heat. They deployed the two garden hoses. At that time, they noticed the extra large San Leandro marina fire extinguisher. My buddy broke out the glass, then kicked in the door and grabbed the fire extinguisher. They deployed the large fire extinguisher. At this point the smoke from the boat seared my buddy's face. They backed away from the billowing smoke. At this time the fire department showed up. They checked the boat and found the owner face down on the bottom of the boat and a gallon of Vodka nearby. He was DOA.
My buddy noticed that the seat foam was the source of the flames. It had burned like gasoline. The hull remained hot for 3 hours. The fire dept. worked on removing the smoldering interior until midnight.
When my buddy talked to me later in the day, he emphasized the need for smoke, CO detectors and fire extinguishers on board. He commented that he had bought them, but hadn't installed them on his boat. You can guess what priority #1 was for him.
The harbor scuttlebut was that the owner spent his days heavily intoxicated on his boat. They guess a cigarette may have set off the seat cushions when he was passed out.
My buddy noticed that the seat foam was the source of the flames. It had burned like gasoline. The hull remained hot for 3 hours. The fire dept. worked on removing the smoldering interior until midnight.
When my buddy talked to me later in the day, he emphasized the need for smoke, CO detectors and fire extinguishers on board. He commented that he had bought them, but hadn't installed them on his boat. You can guess what priority #1 was for him.
The harbor scuttlebut was that the owner spent his days heavily intoxicated on his boat. They guess a cigarette may have set off the seat cushions when he was passed out.