Tour boat burns in Exuma

They re the biggest tour boat operator there... they ve grown from a single 25 ish skiff 10 years ago to at least 4 or 5 boats as big as 40/45. All outboard powered. We ve used them over the years to transfer guests.

I wonder how much inspection these boats are subject to over there. 4Cs boat were new and looked well maintained but you wouldnt catch me on some of the boats you see carrying tourists in nassau harbor...

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/0...as-boat-explosion-several-others-injured.html

In press articles it's referred to as an explosion.

One thing we've commented on when in other places is that the US is unique in having a "six-pack" and limiting uninspected vessels to six passengers. Perhaps one place we may be a little smarter with more restrictive rules.

The BDF doesn't deal with charter and tour boats, the port authority does. We get inspected every year when we renew our foreign charter license and it s similar to a USCG boarding. Flares, life jackets, paperwork, life rafts, etc. I also get a Bahamian Masters license restricted to the specific foreign boat

I imagine they inspect and license local tour boats but I doubt it s anything like a USCG inspected passenger vessel inspection

The number of tour boats operating out of Great Exuma to the Cays, and now from NAS too, has skyrocketed in the last 5 years. Everything from single engine 25 footers to 50' including high performance RIBs from NAS and the custom boats 4Cs have built. All outboard powered as they need the shallow draft to fly over the shallows. Outboards maybe safer than gas inboards but you still have fuel tanks and lines in bilges along with electrical systems.

The FBO in Gtown had hired one of them a few years back to transfer guests to the boat in Staniel. They landed around 3am and did the trip in pitch dark conditions. No lights no radar no GPS. Flat out over the shallows and close to the rocks in some spots. Everyone was pissed and scared. I was glad the FBO and hired them and not me Naomi was flying in with the guests and even she said that was the scariest boat ride she ever took.

I guess it was only a matter of time. Tragic someone died

The number of these bats has skyrocketed. We had 20 boats coming into to Compass last week according to Jamal.

One day it was pouring and all the tourist had just coverups. It got pretty chilly but the tour operators rounded them up for a 2 hour ride in the rain. They weren’t happy.

On the flip side it is amazing to see pretty much 5 of the biggest highlights you would see in a week long charter.

Look at the awning frame blown upwards from mid ship. Gas tanks should have been to aft.
Would there be a propane grill on board?
Later videos show the burned out hull still on the bar. Not a good local for an investigation?
I'm sorry for the loss of life and injuries.
I'm afraid somebody or more, F'd up.

We saw that boat last week. It was some sort of flatter Bottum alum boat. Most of them are traditional us built 38-44 center consoles.

So it might have had center fuel tanks. I hope that micro industry learns from this. Those guys are usually flying buy at 30-40kts and certainly don’t have concern about wake as the cruise through big majors.

I doubt they had any propane on board. These are fast paced tour boats. They hit a hot spot and move on. Lunch is usually at Staniel.

Hopefully the investigation will lead to improved safety. So much that can go Wrong with a gas boat

That's why we don't work on or even go on gas boats we don't know.

This mornings news reported 1 dead and one girl lost both legs. saved by good samaritans.