Houseboat Sinking on Waterway
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:30 am
I noticed yesterday that a houseboat had sunk on the waterway at the edge of the dredged channel. The numerous tows along the area will need to be careful as only the top of the pilothouse of the houseboat is above water. The bow is tied to a tree on the North bank.
I will guess the boat was underway as that spot is very inconvenient for mooring alongside the bank. The boat was probably taking on water very fast for it not to have made it completely clear of the channel before hitting the bottom. A likely cause was a failed engine cooling water hose. If I had an inboard or sterndrive powered boat I wold install a high bilge water alarm as sinking can occur very quickly if a cooling water hose fails. A cause as simple as a failed hose clamp can sink a boat.
I will guess the boat was underway as that spot is very inconvenient for mooring alongside the bank. The boat was probably taking on water very fast for it not to have made it completely clear of the channel before hitting the bottom. A likely cause was a failed engine cooling water hose. If I had an inboard or sterndrive powered boat I wold install a high bilge water alarm as sinking can occur very quickly if a cooling water hose fails. A cause as simple as a failed hose clamp can sink a boat.