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Misty Blue · 07-23-2006, 11:38 AM

Refueling is probably the most dangerous thing that you will ever do in your boat. I have seen fuel nozzles placed in air vents and fishing rod holders!

I expect that this was not the case at the Weirs this weekend. The crew at Anchor Marine are experienced at their jobs. But something must have gone wrong.

It is possible that the fuel fill line or deck fitting broke or became disconnected. Maybe a hole in the tank. Either way proper refueling procedures would have (should have, could have?) prevented the fire.

Here goes, again:

Portable tanks are removed from the boat filled on the dock and then returned to the boat.

Prior to fueling...

Close all doors, hatches, etc.
Turn off EVERYTHING electrical. Radios. lights and yes, even the bilge blower.
THE SMOKING LAMP IS OUT!

Fuel up, don't over fill.

After fueling...

Turn on the bilge blower and run it for a minimum of four minutes. Yes, I know that this is a pain when you have boats waiting to get in to your space at the dock. When they designed your boat they made a dicision on what capacity boower to install and a four minute run time was part of their math.

Then, and this is the most important part, open the hatch and sniff for fumes with your nose. If there are flamable gasses above the lower explosive limit (LEL) you will smell them. Yes this works!

When you combine fuel tanks, engines and batteries within the confines of a bilge fires are bound to happen. But by following refueling procedures you can
stack the deck in your favor.

Misty Blue.

07-23-2006, 11:38 AM	#4
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Refueling proceedure Refueling is probably the most dangerous thing that you will ever do in your boat. I have seen fuel nozzles placed in air vents and fishing rod holders! I expect that this was not the case at the Weirs this weekend. The crew at Anchor Marine are experienced at their jobs. But something must have gone wrong. It is possible that the fuel fill line or deck fitting broke or became disconnected. Maybe a hole in the tank. Either way proper refueling procedures would have (should have, could have?) prevented the fire. Here goes, again: Portable tanks are removed from the boat filled on the dock and then returned to the boat. Prior to fueling... Close all doors, hatches, etc. Turn off EVERYTHING electrical. Radios. lights and yes, even the bilge blower. THE SMOKING LAMP IS OUT! Fuel up, don't over fill. After fueling... Turn on the bilge blower and run it for a minimum of four minutes. Yes, I know that this is a pain when you have boats waiting to get in to your space at the dock. When they designed your boat they made a dicision on what capacity boower to install and a four minute run time was part of their math. Then, and this is the most important part, open the hatch and sniff for fumes with your nose. If there are flamable gasses above the lower explosive limit (LEL) you will smell them. Yes this works! When you combine fuel tanks, engines and batteries within the confines of a bilge fires are bound to happen. But by following refueling procedures you can stack the deck in your favor. Misty Blue.