The loss of Kokopelli

[belizesailor]

Just received the tragic news of the total loss of SV Kokopelli (Liz & Alan) to fire while underway. Fortunately they are both unharmed.

Liz & Alan are cruising friends of ours.

Full story: https://groups.io/g/CruisersNetworkO...74500632#10751

[gamayun]

One of my worse fears on a boat. My condolences to your friends and sending a virtual hug. Glad they are safe.

[Captn_Black]

Sorry for your loss. What do you reckon it was? The gas generator maybe?

[model 10]

' Sad, we've seen that boat somewhere and now it's gone. Glad they're safe.

[moseriw]

Maybe there would have been a slight chance to flood just the burning hull opening the heads through hulls... but time..... it'll take at least 5-8 minutes which I'm sure they have not got...

[ThereAndBack]

When I saw the thread title I thought to myself that it couldn't be Liz and Alan's boat, there must be many named that, but alas, it was. I met them a few times at Panamarina while they were coming and going. They usually spent 6 months in Panama and 6 months on their RV 5th wheel. Very interesting life for them.

I'm so glad they're unharmed and my heart goes out to them over the loss of their boat.

[chuckr]

OH MY GOSH we sailed with Liz an Alan in Panama a number of years ago how sad great people and they touched us in such a way that I thtought of them many times over the years

[Pir8te]

glad that everyone is ok

[wolfgal]

My condolences to Liz and Alan...

i hope they have a home somewhere or can stay family, friends...

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Captn_Black

Sorry for your loss. What do you reckon it was? The gas generator maybe?

Curious, what made you come to that conclusion?

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Curious, what made you come to that conclusion?

With them both being in the same engine bay, by the sounds of it. If I remember right it didn't mention whether or not they were motoring or using the generator, but I assumed that given where the fire started they were motoring. My "theory" is that perhaps the generator had leaked fuel onto the exhaust elbow for the auxiliary. Though of course a diesel leak can ignite in the same way, although if the generator was in the same engine space there would have been gasoline for the fire to burn too. I think it is fair to assume they did not have space for a diesel generator., but I could be wrong.

Edit - And with the speed that the fire got out of control my guess is that gasoline was involved.

[a64pilot]

I have never seen a “generator compartment” for a portable gas generator.
We will never know but most fires are electrical when the source can be found.
It’s not uncommon at all for fires to get out of hand, fast and I mean so fast you end up in the water with nothing.
This is a very good write up, and strengthens my belief that dry chemical fire extinguishers are nearly useless and if used in a confined environment will make it so you have to leave in order to see and breathe.
VOYAGES OF SANDPIPER
I have heard of more fires from flexible solar panels on Bimini’s than from gas generators.
Not saying they are safe, not much is, but who runs one when underway?

[MicHughV]

..I once saw a fiberglass boat go up in flames at a dock. Rescue efforts by the marina staff were futile due to the immense black smoke, 20' high flames, fumes, heat, etc.
By the time the Fire Dept. came, a few minutes later, it was all but over...as the boat had practically burned to the waterline by then

I was totally stunned at how quick the whole process was.

I have no idea how anyone could possible subdue a boat fire, once flames are detected?

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have never seen a “generator compartment” for a portable gas generator.

I don't think I have read of any cases where this happened to a sail boat - but then many fires on small vessels are not investigated to the extent that they are for larger vessels. I did read of one report almost identical to my theory on a mid sized fishing vessel, and many cases of high pressure diesel causing a fire by spraying onto an exhaust elbow, in everything from fishing boats to cruise liners - edit, lol, sorry, yes, the "exhaust elbow" would not be in such a place for a cruise ship, I mean hot surface of some kind. I don't remember all the details. I read the reports for recreation.

[a64pilot]

An issue with a fiberglass boat is that just about the whole thing is flammable, Sunbrella for instance is pure plastic and will burn like its soaked in gasoline, I would assume the same for the sails and hull of course.
My belief is that it can be put out if caught early enough and if you have the proper fire extinguishing agent. You need a smothering agent for the engine room and if not an automatic extinguisher, at least a way of filling the compartment without opening a hatch or door. Your extinguisher is only too big if you can’t carry it, sort of like an anchor, size matters
Then as was said in the blog, have a hose readily available connected to a lot of pressurized water, cause sometimes water is the best agent