Victim had just fueled up Vessel #1 with 10 gallons of gas which filled the gas tank. He attempted to start the vessel and the engine started but immediately died. He continued to try to start the engine by pressing and releasing the start button approximately six more times but the engine would not start. The last time he hit the start button, the vessel exploded while still sitting next to the fueling dock. The victim was thrown approximately 20' into the air and landed on the wooden fueling dock. The upper deck housing of the vessel was blown off the hull and the entire hull compartment was on fire. The owner of the marina came out onto the dock with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. 

Initial examination of the vessel showed that the locking ring on the top of the gas tank that holds the fuel pump in the tank, was completely unthreaded and the positive lead on the battery was severely melted. The battery on this Vessel is located immediately forward of the gas tank. It appears that the hull filled with gas vapors from the unsecured lock ring and the heat generated from the positive battery lead and terminal due to the load of turning the starter over so many times, ignited the vapors and resulted in the explosion. An independent Marine Surveyor was hired by the marina and his examination the Vessel resulted in the same conclusion.

Naples                        