Visit our Popular Forums

hlev00 · 25-02-2019, 19:41

Every boaters nightmare - fire. We heard a call on 16 asking "if the sailboat 5 miles off of Lee Stocking needed assistance". There was no response. I turned around and saw the smoke. We turned Juno around and began heading for the smoke. We were about 4 miles away. Again calls were made but no response. We then heard that a motor yacht was sending their tender. We continued on. Based on the radio, a couple of other sailboats were also en route.

5 - 10 minutes later the tender reported that they had reached the boat and pulled the solo sailor from his dingy. He had been the only person on board and escaped with no injuries. Sad, but the best outcome possible.

There were two other sailboats in our vicinity. They made no attempt to provide assistance before hearing that the sailor had been rescued.

Spot · 25-02-2019, 20:03

Wow. The picture really gives a feeling of distance and danger. Nice of you to head out to assist. Any more details about the incident?

Stu Jackson · 25-02-2019, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by hlev00

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There were two other sailboats in our vicinity. They made no attempt to provide assistance before hearing that the sailor had been rescued.

"Gee, honey, why don't we turn the VHF off, it's only static and nobody calls us anyway."

ARRRGGGHH................

hlev00 · 26-02-2019, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spot

Wow. The picture really gives a feeling of distance and danger. Nice of you to head out to assist. Any more details about the incident?

None that I have found.

Emouchet · 27-02-2019, 18:25

The boat was belonging to a Canadian Citizen. 1997 Sun Odyssey 37 feet. Named Agatika.

**a64pilot** · 28-02-2019, 04:47

My understanding is his statement on the fire was he was sitting in his cockpit and the Bimini suddenly caught fire.
Sounded strange, but then I thought that Sunbrella and others like it are actually pure plastic, and may be very flammable.

Maybe he had cockpit lights or other wiring that may have set the Sunbrella ablaze?

motion30 · 28-02-2019, 04:53

Georgetown does not even have a land-based fire company. Certainly no rescue fire boat available

Suijin · 28-02-2019, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

My understanding is his statement on the fire was he was sitting in his cockpit and the Bimini suddenly caught fire.
Sounded strange, but then I thought that Sunbrella and others like it are actually pure plastic, and may be very flammable.

Maybe he had cockpit lights or other wiring that may have set the Sunbrella ablaze?

I once left a large stainless mixing bowl in the cockpit during some boat chores. At some point I threw a terry cloth rag in it that was just damp with water. An hour later I smelled something burning and went to the campanionway to see flames licking up out of the bowl, which had acted as a parabolic mirror in the sun. I gave the bowl away to prevent a future repeat of my stupidity.

It’s possible that something similar happened. But I bet he was grilling and just didn’t want to admit it. :P

hlev00 · 28-02-2019, 05:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

My understanding is his statement on the fire was he was sitting in his cockpit and the Bimini suddenly caught fire.
Sounded strange, but then I thought that Sunbrella and others like it are actually pure plastic, and may be very flammable.

Maybe he had cockpit lights or other wiring that may have set the Sunbrella ablaze?

Recently I was checking over the solar panels on my bimini. No serious chafing but a few adjustments will prevent further. After this event I will pay a lot more attention.

Spot · 28-02-2019, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

My understanding is his statement on the fire was he was sitting in his cockpit and the Bimini suddenly caught fire.
Sounded strange, but then I thought that Sunbrella and others like it are actually pure plastic, and may be very flammable.

Maybe he had cockpit lights or other wiring that may have set the Sunbrella ablaze?

Thanks for the news. Did he lose the whole boat or just the bimini? Mainsail?

**a64pilot** · 28-02-2019, 18:43

Boat burned to waterline I believe and I assume sunk, I don’t know about sinking, but it’s what usually happens

alansmith · 28-02-2019, 21:49

Lots of guys cook out in the cockpit with their bomb single cylinder propane tops. I know it is speculation but I wouldn’t be surprised either. Glad he made it out alive.