The Operator of Vessel 1 opened the hatch on Vessel 1 and ran the blowers at his personal dock for 15 minutes before driving to the fuel dock.  After arriving at the fuel dock, the Operator loaded approximately 22 gallons of gasoline and added 16 ounces of high octane STP additive.  Although the Operator did not open the engine hatch at the fuel dock, the Operator indicates that he did run the blower; witnesses reported that they never heard the blower running.  Following fueling, Vessel 1 left the dock.  Vessel 1 travelled approximately 20 feet and then stalled; as the Operator re-started the engine, an explosion occurred and a fire started at the front end of the engine.  Witnesses reported that the engine hatch was thrown approximately 50 feet up over Vessel 1 as a result of the explosion.  Dockhands and witnesses then entered the water and pulled Vessel 1 back to the dock; the Operator extinguished the flames using an on-board fire extinguisher and a larger extinguisher when Vessel 1 reached the dock.  The Operator received no injuries; the one additional Occupant on Vessel 1 suffered severe head injury to the top of his head (inspection of the cabin aft roof edge revealed an indentation approximately 3/4 inch deep into the fiberglass and metal band around the edge of the roof where the Victim's head struck the roof).  The Victim was transported to Magruder Hospital where he expired as a result of his injuries on September 5, 2010.  Investigation revealed indicators that prove that considerable fuel vapor accumulated under the deck of Vessel 1 as far forward as the Operator Station.  The explosion was caused when these fuel vapors were ignited by one of several possible sources including unshielded batteries, the blower motor, or the bilge pump (definitive source could  not be determined due to fire and explosion damage).
Carroll Township              