Yacht Fires

We, the boating public, never seem to hear the determination of cause. I know to some that seems like one is being nosy, but when you see several like you've described I think it could be educational and at least serve as a reminder of some of the things to be careful about.

Yes, it was a 2004 Monte Fino 84'. I think the name was Positive Energy, but perhaps it had been changed again.

In November there was a fire at a Seattle Marina in which 11 boats were burned. It was started by a candle.

I must say it appears on today's fire, the response was rapid and effective in isolating the boat and then addressing the fire.

Fire fighting was the least pleasant of any course we've taken. It was one that as you went through the exercises you had to remind yourself why you were doing it. I think we gained a lot of knowledge, but I know it made us more aware and more fearful. Hopefully a healthy regard for fires, but I definitely think of them and how we'd get everyone safely away if one did develop on our boat or at the marina we're docked. Wasn't that long ago we were at Yacht Haven Grande. Now the news has me looking around at the marina where we are today.

You don't say?

I want to explain my response to Capt Bill11's post #3. When I viewed his post, it had nothing in it. So, I thought I'd make a silly comment. It turns out the joke was on me.

I've been experimenting with ad blocking and tracking protection add-ons for Internet Explorer 11. I've since learned that an add-on called "Stop Google Tracking" blocks YouTube videos from even appearing. That add-on was enabled when I first viewed Capt Bill11's post. Lesson learned!

Also, I'll try to leave the humor to the comedians on YF; you know who you are.

Your response makes more sense now, I watched the video twice with the sound cranked up thinking I missed something

I did my Fire training at the Royal Naval Shipyard in Plymouth, England. Those are the chaps who will have to deal with aircraft and nuke sub fires if they ever happen.

They don't mess around. Day One put us in the Fire House, all blacked out, smoke filled and hot. You had to make your own way out using all the skills they taught you just 2 hours earlier. They don't work. They then teach you where you went wrong, and break down each reason as to why they don't work. Enlightening to say the least.

If you ever get the chance to do a proper course on fire training, jump on it.

I did USN firefighting school 3 times. No breathing device, fireman clothes, etc. Just normal shipboard clothes. All oil fires in confined spaces using water and various nozzles. Amazing what you can do with just water. On the last day they let us use foam. Fire was out in seconds.
Most yachts are a fire waiting to happen. Wood paneling, drapes, propane, fuel tanks. I've seen one ship fire and one yacht explosion. Yacht was a propane leak. Owner started an engine in 65' boat and bang. It sank a boat on each side and damaged a dozen other boats. Owner didn't make it.

I saw one report into fires on commercial shipping. The single biggest cause of fires listed?

The toaster in the galley, I'm not kidding!

Nice to know we're not the only ones. Just no need for it and one less thing to worry about.

I believe you, Fish. While onboard my abode (safely moored here on my street), I woke up in the middle of the night to the odor of...something hot/burning...it was my toaster oven (kinda old...OK, it's an antique) with cal-rods a vivid bright red, which is rarely used, and was certainly not used anytime around then.
I now unplug until it's needed.
Note to Pascal:
I now trust my gas stove more than that new-fangled electrical appliance.

I read an article today about the dangers of toasters and toaster ovens in homes.