Vessel 1 left Bass Haven Marina to travel to Channel Grove Marina for fuel.  While in route to Channel Grove Marina, fuel odor was detected and Vessel 1 was stopped to check conditions.  Upon inspection, nothing was found and Vessel 1 proceeded to Channel Grove Marina.  After adding $50 in fuel to Vessel 1 and leaving the fueling area, Vessel 1 was observed to have black smoke coming from the exhaust.  Occupants aboard Vessel 1 discovered the fire and tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire with one fire extinguisher; a subsequent explosion blew the engine cover off of Vessel 1.  As a result of the explosion, all four Occupants of Vessel 1 ended up in the water.  Two of the Occupants were able to swim to shore under their own power; the Operator grabbed the inflatable PFD of the other Occupant and both went over the side of Vessel 1 where the Operator tried to support the Occupant in the water while trying to buckle the belt of the inflatable PFD.  The inflatable PFD failed to fire (auto inflation design).  The Operator and the Occupant were taken aboard a Good Samaritan vessel in the area and returned to shore where EMS arrived on scene.  The two Occupants on shore were transported to MacGruder Hospital while the Occupant with the failed inflatable PFD was air flighted to St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo; the Operator refused treatment for his injuries in order to ride along with the air flighted Victim to Toledo.  No alcohol involvement was suspected and there were no PFDs worn by any of the Occupants prior to the explosion.
marblehead