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Author Topic:   Fire

jamesmylesmcp posted 09-03-2011 10:46 AM ET (US)
This has got to be the worst case senerio for any boater.
I experienced fire aboard my 25 Revenge. The engine harness arched 6 inches in front of the engine quickly spreading to the fuel line at which time I became aware of the situation. Luckily the Optimax oil seemed to suppress the fire and it was quickly controlled. The engine harness was new this season and the fault occured in an area that has no contact with anything. My constant drills and emergency exercises with my crew has payed off. No damage to hull or engine, we will replace the cables,fuel and oil lines and be back at it very shortly

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x44/ribside/ponpon.jpg
zotcha posted 09-03-2011 11:08 AM ET (US)
Wow! It put itself out? Pretty amazing, I don't see any evidence of an extinguishing agent. Glad it all worked out for you and your crew.
PS If this were the norm...I'd be out of a job! zot.
contender posted 09-03-2011 03:28 PM ET (US)
Not that's the fire is out, can you/you need to find the cause?
Jerry Townsend posted 09-03-2011 04:10 PM ET (US)
As having spent several years involved in safety related items/accidents - and having had a nephew whose boat burned to the waterline - I have always said that the one thing I don't want is a fire.
Your engine harness has, I suspect, the fuel line, the postive cable and the negative cable. With a fuel leak and a short in those cables - spells bad news. And all it takes is for the engine harness to be contacting/vibrating on any hard surface/object to cause your problem.
But - every CW member should pay attention to your experience. Check your engine harness and make sure it is not contacting anything. And also - periodically check your fire extinguisher - and as I have - have another and larger extinguisher than that supplied with your whaler handy. --- Jerry/Idaho
jamesmylesmcp posted 09-03-2011 05:19 PM ET (US)
I'll never know what was going on underneath , no problems found on either end of the harness. Another item to be inspected frequently.
I never had time to pull out the Fire Extinguisher as the crew had thrown a wet towel on the fire. I might add the crew is 8 and 10 years old.
Buckda posted 09-03-2011 05:22 PM ET (US)
Looks like some promotions are in order for outstanding meritorious achievement.
The 10 y.o. should now rank PO3 (Petty Officer, 3rd Class) and the 8 y.o. should now rank SN (Seaman)
Perhaps an official recognition ceremony is in order....
Good thing you got good recruits!
fno posted 09-03-2011 06:11 PM ET (US)
Mostl likely is your battery positive and negative cables rubbed the insulation bare and the short circuit caused the insulation to catch fire. I have seen plenty of these kinds of fires. Did your gas line melt and catch too? I too am remiss in looking inside that mesh that bundles my harness. Looks like I've got a reason to pull the cover tomorrow. Glad to see your fire was minor and the kids knew what to do too.
themclos posted 09-03-2011 06:35 PM ET (US)
Nice job crew! Glad to hear the "good" news.
You guys were fortunate indeed.
Dan
Chuck Tribolet posted 09-03-2011 10:57 PM ET (US)
A big "well done" to your young swabs.

Problems at the ends won't cause a fire in the middle. I
think fno's scenario is the most likely. If it had been
any of the little wires, it would have blown a fuse. The
only unfused wires are the huge ones. If you inspect
the wires at the point where the fire started, you will
probably see a little bit of melted copper right where the
arcing occurred.

Was any of the smaller wiring damaged?
How old was this wiring? Was it in mesh? or spiral wrap?
Or open?

When you replace the fuel line, use USCG A-1 rated line. Not
required on an outboard boat, but a REALLY good idea.
And use the good Ancor wire for what you replace.

Chuck
Mambo Minnow posted 09-04-2011 06:59 AM ET (US)
No.1 damage control concern at sea is FIRE. Good job!
I will check my Opti's harness rig too.
jamesmylesmcp posted 09-04-2011 07:57 AM ET (US)
Wires were Spiral wraped, engines were installed this spring everything is new.Problem occured with battery cables as the actual engine harness is fused. Must have melted the Opti oil lines before the gas line as the splash well was oil soaked. The gasoline line had melted free and was draining into the well ablaze when extinguished.
Scary situation, lucky we are , my kids have more boating hours than most, they continue to make me proud. One of my favorite things is at the ramp to back down someone will offer assistance only to have the kids say " We got it" the 8 year old will grab a line and the 10 year old will motor the boat off and dock.
It's a great walk down the dock after parking the truck to see my crew in total control amoungst the weekend warriors.

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Author	Topic: Fire
jamesmylesmcp	posted 09-03-2011 10:46 AM ET (US) This has got to be the worst case senerio for any boater. I experienced fire aboard my 25 Revenge. The engine harness arched 6 inches in front of the engine quickly spreading to the fuel line at which time I became aware of the situation. Luckily the Optimax oil seemed to suppress the fire and it was quickly controlled. The engine harness was new this season and the fault occured in an area that has no contact with anything. My constant drills and emergency exercises with my crew has payed off. No damage to hull or engine, we will replace the cables,fuel and oil lines and be back at it very shortly http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x44/ribside/ponpon.jpg
zotcha	posted 09-03-2011 11:08 AM ET (US) Wow! It put itself out? Pretty amazing, I don't see any evidence of an extinguishing agent. Glad it all worked out for you and your crew. PS If this were the norm...I'd be out of a job! zot.
contender	posted 09-03-2011 03:28 PM ET (US) Not that's the fire is out, can you/you need to find the cause?
Jerry Townsend	posted 09-03-2011 04:10 PM ET (US) As having spent several years involved in safety related items/accidents - and having had a nephew whose boat burned to the waterline - I have always said that the one thing I don't want is a fire. Your engine harness has, I suspect, the fuel line, the postive cable and the negative cable. With a fuel leak and a short in those cables - spells bad news. And all it takes is for the engine harness to be contacting/vibrating on any hard surface/object to cause your problem. But - every CW member should pay attention to your experience. Check your engine harness and make sure it is not contacting anything. And also - periodically check your fire extinguisher - and as I have - have another and larger extinguisher than that supplied with your whaler handy. --- Jerry/Idaho
jamesmylesmcp	posted 09-03-2011 05:19 PM ET (US) I'll never know what was going on underneath , no problems found on either end of the harness. Another item to be inspected frequently. I never had time to pull out the Fire Extinguisher as the crew had thrown a wet towel on the fire. I might add the crew is 8 and 10 years old.
Buckda	posted 09-03-2011 05:22 PM ET (US) Looks like some promotions are in order for outstanding meritorious achievement. The 10 y.o. should now rank PO3 (Petty Officer, 3rd Class) and the 8 y.o. should now rank SN (Seaman) Perhaps an official recognition ceremony is in order.... Good thing you got good recruits!
fno	posted 09-03-2011 06:11 PM ET (US) Mostl likely is your battery positive and negative cables rubbed the insulation bare and the short circuit caused the insulation to catch fire. I have seen plenty of these kinds of fires. Did your gas line melt and catch too? I too am remiss in looking inside that mesh that bundles my harness. Looks like I've got a reason to pull the cover tomorrow. Glad to see your fire was minor and the kids knew what to do too.
themclos	posted 09-03-2011 06:35 PM ET (US) Nice job crew! Glad to hear the "good" news. You guys were fortunate indeed. Dan
Chuck Tribolet	posted 09-03-2011 10:57 PM ET (US) A big "well done" to your young swabs. Problems at the ends won't cause a fire in the middle. I think fno's scenario is the most likely. If it had been any of the little wires, it would have blown a fuse. The only unfused wires are the huge ones. If you inspect the wires at the point where the fire started, you will probably see a little bit of melted copper right where the arcing occurred. Was any of the smaller wiring damaged? How old was this wiring? Was it in mesh? or spiral wrap? Or open? When you replace the fuel line, use USCG A-1 rated line. Not required on an outboard boat, but a REALLY good idea. And use the good Ancor wire for what you replace. Chuck
Mambo Minnow	posted 09-04-2011 06:59 AM ET (US) No.1 damage control concern at sea is FIRE. Good job! I will check my Opti's harness rig too.
jamesmylesmcp	posted 09-04-2011 07:57 AM ET (US) Wires were Spiral wraped, engines were installed this spring everything is new.Problem occured with battery cables as the actual engine harness is fused. Must have melted the Opti oil lines before the gas line as the splash well was oil soaked. The gasoline line had melted free and was draining into the well ablaze when extinguished. Scary situation, lucky we are , my kids have more boating hours than most, they continue to make me proud. One of my favorite things is at the ramp to back down someone will offer assistance only to have the kids say " We got it" the 8 year old will grab a line and the 10 year old will motor the boat off and dock. It's a great walk down the dock after parking the truck to see my crew in total control amoungst the weekend warriors.