On 9/25/10 DEM officers were dispatched to Portsmouth to meet victims of a boating accident caused by an explosion.  The operator of the 28' Bayliner Ciera was operating his boat near the southwest end of Prudence Is with 3 other passengers on board.  At approximately 1:30 pm there was an explosion from the engine compartment. The force of the explosion hurled passenger into the water.  Operator stopped the engine and jumped into the water to assist Occupant.  The two other passengers remained in the boat unharmed.  Both victims remained in the water for approximately 20 minutes before being rescued by 2 boats in the area.  Operator also explained that he had recently replaced the carburetor the day before and that Occupant was seated in an unsecure chair on top of the engine compartment hatch.  After officers inspection of the boat, they concluded that the work Operator did to the carburetor to be the most suspect as a potential fuel source since there was an unusual amount of oily material in the area of the intake under the carburetor.
Portsmouth                    