OFB
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
- Messages
- 638
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Invader no1
- Vessel Make
- Kishi Boat works
May 8 2008 Thursday Morning.
Some were around the 9:00 – 9:30 AM time? Not sure so I am guessing.
My location at that time would be in my office above a building the fronts the River. The windows from there face the Marinas docks where Invader no 1 is moored. This gives me a bird’s eye view so ta speak of this Marina.
The Admiral my partner noticed smoke in the marina. When I took a look I also noticed white smoke around the center on X dock. I also noted the lack of any automobiles at that time in the Marina Parking lot.
So it be time for me to take a walk down the docks for a look.
Out the door across the parking lot I headed. As soon as I cleared the security gate the smell was unmistakable. Electrical fire just came to mind.
As I walked down X dock the smoke was wafting around MV XXXXX. As I came up to the vessel, smoke was exiting via the ER air intake vents on the port and starboard aft sides. Bayliner 38 motor yacht, mid to late 1980.
Panic, ya Panic covers my reaction < grin>
I took a quick look down the Port side and stern deck. Nothing much to note with that quick look. Just a ton of white nasty smoke from the ER vents and it appeared to be getting hot.
I also took a quick look through the salon windows but the inside seemed filled with smoke. It looked hot and not in a fashionable way. Nope I didn’t do the touchy feely thing. I never actually touched or boarded the vessel at this point.
Panic, more panic.
I began to scream FIRE FIRE FIRE over and over again while I was running around. Oh I bet the video would be a laugh to watch.
I released a few dock lines from the vessels beside MV XXXXX, just in case they needed to be removed for a fire break.
I pulled the cover on the dock pedestal for power. Shut the breakers down and unplugged the power cord. From there I headed down X dock to where my vessel, Invader no 1 is docked.
I Live-aboard in this marina at the end of X dock. Aboard MV Invader No 1.
From my vessel I called 911 to report the fire. I also did a broadcast on the VHF channel 66A. I knew the marina would be monitoring that channel.
I had stopped screaming Fire Fire Fire by now.
I exited Invader no 1 and there be this guy standing there ready to help. Don’t know who he is were he came from but it’s all good. I really don’t remember if I went back down to MV XXXX at this point and then came back for the fire pump or not. I know the thought process took me a few directions. Do I take halon and an axe or dry chemical. Do I make a fire break or just keep the boat as cool as I can till the fire guys show up. I am going to blame it on that age thing < grin >. I uncover my fire pump and hand it off to this guy helping me. I ask him to get it down there but not to close. I then go and dig out the hose’s.
Then I broke my own rule. I forgot to put on my PFD. OOOOOPs
We hook up the pump, start it up and I just start to hose down the aft end of the boat. When I hit the salon windows with water it just steams up. Not good.
The Manager from the Marina shows up on there tug. He has there fire pump on the tug and also begins dumping water on the back of the vessel. We then moved a propane tank away from MV XXXX out on to D dock.
Lots of nasty smoke pouring out from the ER vents. So we just kept hosing down the boat and the air intake vents. This monster seemed to be breathing. The monster seemed to inhale, then after a few seconds exhale that nasty smoke.
Any way that be about it. You Richmond Fire guy’s showed up, nice and calm, as usual.
No yelling fire fire fire and such.
I had a quick conversation with the first fire fighter ( Cap )while continuing to dump water on MV XXXX. I shared my guess that it be electrical. I explained where the ER space entrance is. Where the battery disconnects for the vessel are located. Not that they would be any good at this point. ( they where )I confirmed the vessel had been disconnected from the 120V shore power.
From there the fire rescue guys came on down. Suited up, fired up there portable pump. They opened the ER space door with water blasting and turned off the 12 V disconects.
Wa la done deal and real fast after you guys showed up. THANK YOU!
After I returned to the office I was then informed by Carrie about the helper guy. He had just showed up to look at a vessel for sale. He also called 911 while hearing the crazy guy on the docks screaming fire fire fire. The Admiral opened the security gate and blocked it open at that point. Mystery guy then came on down to help. I am trying to find out who he is.
To thank him
So that’s my story and I am sticking to it I think. It really just ends up being a blur. So there is a good chance it did not happen quite this way. Oh well.
My broadcast on 66A was heard by the Marina Manager. At first he thought I was kidding till he looked at the cam. Man he was fast to get his but over there . Yet he could not believe I was set up and pouring water over the boat with vessels on either side ready to habd off if need be.
Panic driven adrenalin rush
Some were around the 9:00 – 9:30 AM time? Not sure so I am guessing.
My location at that time would be in my office above a building the fronts the River. The windows from there face the Marinas docks where Invader no 1 is moored. This gives me a bird’s eye view so ta speak of this Marina.
The Admiral my partner noticed smoke in the marina. When I took a look I also noticed white smoke around the center on X dock. I also noted the lack of any automobiles at that time in the Marina Parking lot.
So it be time for me to take a walk down the docks for a look.
Out the door across the parking lot I headed. As soon as I cleared the security gate the smell was unmistakable. Electrical fire just came to mind.
As I walked down X dock the smoke was wafting around MV XXXXX. As I came up to the vessel, smoke was exiting via the ER air intake vents on the port and starboard aft sides. Bayliner 38 motor yacht, mid to late 1980.
Panic, ya Panic covers my reaction < grin>
I took a quick look down the Port side and stern deck. Nothing much to note with that quick look. Just a ton of white nasty smoke from the ER vents and it appeared to be getting hot.
I also took a quick look through the salon windows but the inside seemed filled with smoke. It looked hot and not in a fashionable way. Nope I didn’t do the touchy feely thing. I never actually touched or boarded the vessel at this point.
Panic, more panic.
I began to scream FIRE FIRE FIRE over and over again while I was running around. Oh I bet the video would be a laugh to watch.
I released a few dock lines from the vessels beside MV XXXXX, just in case they needed to be removed for a fire break.
I pulled the cover on the dock pedestal for power. Shut the breakers down and unplugged the power cord. From there I headed down X dock to where my vessel, Invader no 1 is docked.
I Live-aboard in this marina at the end of X dock. Aboard MV Invader No 1.
From my vessel I called 911 to report the fire. I also did a broadcast on the VHF channel 66A. I knew the marina would be monitoring that channel.
I had stopped screaming Fire Fire Fire by now.
I exited Invader no 1 and there be this guy standing there ready to help. Don’t know who he is were he came from but it’s all good. I really don’t remember if I went back down to MV XXXX at this point and then came back for the fire pump or not. I know the thought process took me a few directions. Do I take halon and an axe or dry chemical. Do I make a fire break or just keep the boat as cool as I can till the fire guys show up. I am going to blame it on that age thing < grin >. I uncover my fire pump and hand it off to this guy helping me. I ask him to get it down there but not to close. I then go and dig out the hose’s.
Then I broke my own rule. I forgot to put on my PFD. OOOOOPs
We hook up the pump, start it up and I just start to hose down the aft end of the boat. When I hit the salon windows with water it just steams up. Not good.
The Manager from the Marina shows up on there tug. He has there fire pump on the tug and also begins dumping water on the back of the vessel. We then moved a propane tank away from MV XXXX out on to D dock.
Lots of nasty smoke pouring out from the ER vents. So we just kept hosing down the boat and the air intake vents. This monster seemed to be breathing. The monster seemed to inhale, then after a few seconds exhale that nasty smoke.
Any way that be about it. You Richmond Fire guy’s showed up, nice and calm, as usual.
No yelling fire fire fire and such.
I had a quick conversation with the first fire fighter ( Cap )while continuing to dump water on MV XXXX. I shared my guess that it be electrical. I explained where the ER space entrance is. Where the battery disconnects for the vessel are located. Not that they would be any good at this point. ( they where )I confirmed the vessel had been disconnected from the 120V shore power.
From there the fire rescue guys came on down. Suited up, fired up there portable pump. They opened the ER space door with water blasting and turned off the 12 V disconects.
Wa la done deal and real fast after you guys showed up. THANK YOU!
After I returned to the office I was then informed by Carrie about the helper guy. He had just showed up to look at a vessel for sale. He also called 911 while hearing the crazy guy on the docks screaming fire fire fire. The Admiral opened the security gate and blocked it open at that point. Mystery guy then came on down to help. I am trying to find out who he is.
To thank him
So that’s my story and I am sticking to it I think. It really just ends up being a blur. So there is a good chance it did not happen quite this way. Oh well.
My broadcast on 66A was heard by the Marina Manager. At first he thought I was kidding till he looked at the cam. Man he was fast to get his but over there . Yet he could not believe I was set up and pouring water over the boat with vessels on either side ready to habd off if need be.
Panic driven adrenalin rush