Salcombe - RIB explodes

[SeaSkills]

Anyone know anything about how this happened?

(Apparently it "exploded" - nobody hurt)

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Anyone know anything about how this happened?

(Apparently it "exploded" - nobody hurt)

Blimey! I drop of pet-rol sloppin' about I reckon?

[Bigmuz7]

Arrr .. be that .. or willk's homebrew was being bootlegged & bottled too early

[Paul Cannell]

Bit of t-cut & it'll polish out !!!!!!!!!!

[ribraff]

Couple of patches on the tubes.

[Merlin]

Well thats me in the white top and if anyone can help suggest any reason why this happened i would love to know. I have had the boat 3 years looked after it used it 3 weeks ago stored it and put it back on the water 10 am yesterday morning. Filled it full of fuel took it back to the mooring and washed and cleaned it all down ready for the trip to the beach with the children who were playing in the water right near it .

We noticed a little smoke almost like steam I run down with the fire extinguisher but was beaten back, within 5 minutes it was a total loss , we are heartbroken but so glad we were not on board doing what we normally do out sea donuting , fishing and having family fun .

Any thoughts ? it started at the stern under the seats the only things under there was the battery isolator switch and on the other side a plastic 5 litre spare tank

I will upload some photos,

Anthony

[John Kennett]

Really pleased to hear that everyone was OK.

I would guess that there might be several ways that a combination of big electrc switch, petrol and a conined space could cause a problem. Looking at the pictures though I doubt you'll ever get a definitive answer!

[Bigmuz7]

Was there anything drawing current at the time ? My father lost his yacht in a fire at the back end of last year, and it was down to two wires that had chaffed through and shorted on each other as they passed through a bulkhead in the bow, where a battery supplied the bow thruster. All isolators were off , but this item could not be isolated. One can only surmise that there was enough dust from the chaff to get ignited. Being as there are so many plastics around it didnt take long to get a hold, but as you say its a bit alarming how quickly it all goes up !

[Cypman]

As long as you are all OK..........slightly charred plastic and rubber can be replaced!!

[Mollers]

As mentioned, petrol would've been the fuel, an electrical spark the ignition. Trapped petrol vapour is the dangerous one, far more volatile than liquid petrol, hence the reason for bilge blowers on inboard petrol set-ups.

Again, as mentioned, the important thing is that you and your family are ok. The insurance co. can buy you a nice new boat. Also, you've lost your boat at the end of the season not the beginning, which is a bonus.