VESSEL ON OPERATOR and occupant WERE LOCATED AT THE HELM, WHEN operator STARTED THE PORT MOTOR AND THEN THE STARBOARD THE VESSEL EXPLODED.  OPERATOR SUSTAINED SEVER BURNS TO THE LOWER PART OF HIS BODY.  OCCUPANT SUSTAINED SEVER BURNS TO LOWER TO MID PART OF HIS BODY, BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.  OPERATOR LATER ADVISED THAT OCCUPANT JUST PURCHASED THE VESSEL AND FILLED THE 120-GALLON GAS TANK PRIOR TO THEM SPLASHING THE VESSEL AT THE BOAT RAMP.  AS HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE STARBOARD ENGINE THE COMPARTMENT EXPLODED.  HE ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL WORK DONE PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE AND THAT THE BLOWERS WERE ON BEFORE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINES.  OCCUPANT CONFIRMED THIS STATEMENT.  FIRE MARSHALL AND INV. CONCLUDED THAT A STATIC CHARGE IGNITED FUEL VAPORS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
DANIA BEACH