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Old 01-09-2021, 16:31   #1
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Leopard 50 burns and sinks

I just saw this vid which happened 2 weeks ago. They have/had an almost new L50 burn and sink at the dock in Florida. The dock lines melted and the boat drifted into a Leopard 45 and that one was totaled too. They were Aussies in OZ at the time. It's a 2 part vid.
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Old 02-09-2021, 04:40   #2
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

Saw that and what a horrific experience for all concerned.

Fire appeared to be first in the port side of cockpit. Is that where shore power plugs in on a Leopard 50?
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Old 02-09-2021, 04:48   #3
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

That's a clear picture of the fire load inherent to fiberglass resin.
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Old 02-09-2021, 05:10   #4
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

Drs John and Eli McIntosh and their 50ft Leopard Catamaran, "Ultra Dash"
https://www.barefootdoctorssailing.com.au/

https://www.barefootdoctorssailing.com.au/basic-06
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Old 02-09-2021, 09:45   #5
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

Just imagine a fire like that while at sea.....
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Old 02-09-2021, 09:56   #6
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

Truly horrifying. My heart goes out to those people.
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Old 02-09-2021, 10:04   #7
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

As far as I know the cause of the fire has not yet been made public. However, there was a mechanic/technician working on the boat at the time the fire started. I believe he was injured slightly, though he was able to get off the boat.
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Old 02-09-2021, 10:35   #8
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

Here is a good point about about Aluminum boat vs Fiberglass boats
It only take about ten minutes to burn a new 50' leopard to the water line in Fort Lauderdale 'FL And How fast the Salvage Vultures Start Cycling the wreck. And How Fast The Owner liabilities Starts.
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Old 02-09-2021, 10:51   #9
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

CaptVR here,
A month or two back, there was a thread on emergency hatches on boats. Mainly the multi-hullers were really upset that the hatches were not needed, you can always swim out if you turn turtle. This is exactly what I was talking about. If this came from the electrical, totally quite until the big roar of the fire at 2 in the morning, emergency hatches are the main item that can save ones life. Happy sailing all.
Capt. Vince Rakstis, Ret MS
PS: Keep furniture, deck boxes and dinghies off of the emergency hatches, doing so may save your life.
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Old 02-09-2021, 11:10   #10
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

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Originally Posted by CF32907 View Post
CaptVR here,
A month or two back, there was a thread on emergency hatches on boats. Mainly the multi-hullers were really upset that the hatches were not needed, you can always swim out if you turn turtle. This is exactly what I was talking about. If this came from the electrical, totally quite until the big roar of the fire at 2 in the morning, emergency hatches are the main item that can save ones life. Happy sailing all.
Capt. Vince Rakstis, Ret MS
PS: Keep furniture, deck boxes and dinghies off of the emergency hatches, doing so may save your life.
There are loads of deck hatches in most cats which can be used for ingress/egress. Each cabin on my boat has one that I can pass thru (well...maybe not w this extra COVID lock down weight!). Two more in the deck house, pluse the companion way. Thankfully, no "escape" hatches.

Plenty of exit options in the event of a fire.
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Old 02-09-2021, 11:15   #11
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

I'll say one thing I've learned for sure - fiberglass burns, big-time. That smoke is hard to deal with - thankfully, it didn't happen on a passage. Makes me very cautious of fire hazards, and battery issues, at sea.
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Old 02-09-2021, 11:16   #12
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

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Originally Posted by Lazy Jack 32 View Post
Truly horrifying. My heart goes out to those people.
Indeed, so sad.

What shocks me is the image at 3 minutes. Regardless of the cause, is there really that much flammable material within reach as the fire spreads at that speed?

Something to think about when replacing soft furnishings perhaps.

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Old 02-09-2021, 11:37   #13
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

A sailor's worst nightmare. So sad for both cats.

At least no one was killed or seriously injured. Boats can be replaced.
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Old 02-09-2021, 11:53   #14
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

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Originally Posted by Pete7 View Post
Indeed, so sad.

What shocks me is the image at 3 minutes. Regardless of the cause, is there really that much flammable material within reach as the fire spreads at that speed?

Something to think about when replacing soft furnishings perhaps.

Pete
I’ve only fought one boat fire, but having fought dozens and dozens of structural and vehicle fires, a wind-driven fire is a whole other beast. Faster spread, higher temps. Combine that with HAZMAT you regularly find onboard a vessel and that video doesn’t surprise me one bit.
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Old 02-09-2021, 12:38   #15
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Re: Leopard 50 burns and sinks

I have great sympathy for the owners. And I always dread fire above other most other hazards; I hope that they can put their lives back together in a way that is meaningful for themselves. I must say that I find it surprising that they did not realize that, even if "not their fault", ownership of a boat (and lots of other things) implies all sorts of responsibilities and liabilities, at least in the US....perhaps it is otherwise, in Australia. This is also a sad but useful lesson for those who choose not to insure themselves, relying upon their own skill to keep them out of trouble. Sometimes things happen, when you least expect or can handle it. At the very least, consider liability insurance, so that no one else is harmed by your own misfortune.


Again, I wish them all the best, and I hope that something good comes of this, in the form of lessons to us all.
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