www.iFourWinns.com

So last night we came upon a boat on fire drifting down the river. There were several other boats around that weren't assisting so I thought at first it was an empty boat. Us and another boat pulled up at about the same time and there is a guy trying to put the fire out with a towel. Engine hatch was up and looked like flames from the carb. My advice was for him to get out of the boat. He says " It happens all the time". Oh. The other boat talked him into taking their fire extinguisher and putting it out. My first thought was I didn't want to get too close in case he blew up. That had to be a possibility, right? Anyone know how much of a possibility? There were 4 of us on my boat, and didn't really want myself or my guests injured. That was a first for me.

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2002 Horizon 190 5.0gl

That's a tough one, for it to blow you'd have to ignite fumes at the right concentration, but if there was a fuel leak, there would be plenty of fuel to feed a fire. The anti siphon valve would stop the fuel flow as soon as the engine was off. Hard to say really. Here I'd call the Coast Guard on the VHF in an instant.

In the end you are responsible for the safety of your guests, but also on the water the idea of rendering assistance is also part of it. They should have had life jackets on and be ready to get the hell off that boat. Happens all the time? Leaky carb that needs replacement...not too bright owner....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Typically gas does not "explode" - There can be a sudden combustion of an abundance of vapors, but no true explosion unless it reaches a vessel, or an abundance of vapors - then it can explode. If there is a large gas leak, or an abundance of fumes in a space, then the sudden combustion of vapors can explode.

Oh and water is a poor extinguishing agent for a fuel fire.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

Get as far away from him and his boat as you can. Natural selection as per Darwin theory of evolution at work. How could he not correct the cxause of this dangerous recurring situation ?

We didn't stick around after the fire was out. He refused a tow from the boat with the extinguisher. Someone had called the Fire Dept. and we heard sirens as we were leaving.

We wondered about that, since there was plenty of water around.
I'm still not sticking around on a burning boat whether explosion is certain or not.

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2002 Horizon 190 5.0gl

I agree with this. Although we have an obligation to render aid, I would have left the scene immediately given the guy is an imbecile.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

An Obligation to render aid - "AS LONG AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, OR DOES NOT ENDANGER THE LIVES OF OTHERS." Is the way I read it, with the emphasis always being there.

It is much better to let Darwin work things out first.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI