On july 3, 2013 at approximately 1200 hrs, an explosion, fire and sinking of a boat occurred on lake hickory just outside the wake buoys of oxford access area.  The vessel was a ski boat type four winns with an inboard outdrive.  The boat was owned and operated by the same person.

Operator and his wife trailered the boat to a gas station on hwy 16 near the oxford access area.  Operator fueled the boat with 25 gallons of gas.  They drove the boat to the oxford access area.  Wife drove the vehicle and trailer back to the residence.  Once the boat was in the water, operator immediately started the boat motor.  He explained the motor started right up with no problem.  He advised he did not turn the engine blower or open the cowling of the engine compartment prior to starting.  He advised he idled just outside the wake buoys of oxford access area.  He advised he was traveling less than 10 mph.  Once outside the wake buoys, an explosion from the engine compartment occurred throwing him forward into the windshield of the boat.  He advised he attempted to get to the fire extinguisher but the fire in the engine area was too intense.  Operator jumped into the water and swam from the boat.  An unknown pwc operator arrived and picked him up and brought him back to oxford access area.  Oxford fire boat crew responded and extinguished the fire.  Flames erupted once more while firemen attempting to tie up the damaged boat to tow it to shore.  The fireboat personnel attempted to battle the fire again.  The boad had drifted across the lake and sank near taylorsville beach marina.  Operator advised he had just had the motor replaced on the boat.  They got the boat back from the shop in march 2013.  He had been operating the boat for approximately 6 weekends with no issues.  They had put about 20 hours on the engine since getting it back from the mechanic.  They had refueled 3 or 4 times prior to the accident.  Operator had some minor burns on his arm and foot from the flames of the fire.  

He advised he just put light bandage on the burns.  Catawba emergency management responded and provided equipment to contain the fuel and oil from spreading in the water.  Operator will be removing the sunken boat from lake hickory.  Operator did not have any insurance on the boat.  In conclusion, the boat had just been refueled and then immediately launched from a trailer.  The fuel moving in the engine compartment and fuel tank released vapors.  The boat had not been ventilated prior to starting the engine as stated by operator.  Gas vapor build up and a spark from the engine area caused the explosion.  The delay in time of the explosion occurred due to traveling on the water allowed the introduction of fresh air into a fuel vapor saturated compartment and a spark allowing ignition/explosion.
CONOVER