[Public-List] Loss of an Alberg 30

[Gordon Laco via Public-List]

Terrible story!

So what I take away from this is...

1. no compromises whatsoever are tolerable with regard to fuel leaks
2. don't put the extinguisher where a fire may be
3. don't carry extra fuel in containers below decks
4. all electrical switches must be marine 'vapour proof' to minimize the
chances of flipping one may cause an ignition spark.

Question - I wonder what sort of electric fuel pump set up did he have?  Was
he using it to force fuel to the outboard's otherwise clogged system?

These are important issues and I'm glad the fellow was so forthcoming with
the details of his experience.

I'm impressed that he had so many extinguishers... SURPRISE only carries
two.  I was aboard a sailing ship that had small access ports about one inch
in diameter (covered by little brass swivel plates) that allow one to look
into a compartment where they may be fire without opening it and letting a
lot of air in.  I'm certainly going to carry forward my thought to fit them
into our motor hatch.

When we first got SURPRISE she used to flood the pan beneath her engine with
gasoline regularly due to drips from the carb when specks of dirt clogged
the needle valve.  Since I installed a second fuel filter this hasn't
happened, and we've been religious about shutting off the fuel at the tank
when the engine is not running.  Reading that fellow's story makes me think
how lucky I was in that first year.

And of course one shouldn't forget that with regard to potential for
disaster, gasoline in a boat is nearly as dangerous as propane...

Gord #426 Surprise


On 13/07/15 2:41 PM, "Avery Boyer via Public-List"
<public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Don't think this has been posted yet. This is a very sad account of the
> loss of an Alberg due to a gas fire offshore. Fortunately the skipper and
> his dog survived. While not necessarily Alberg-specific, the gentleman's
> account of the fire is worth reading. A grim reminder for those of us with
> gas inboards (and outboards) that, while fires are rare, they are
> inherently more dangerous than those involving diesel powered boats.
> 
> http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1867840#post1867840
> 
> Avery
>