RedactedNarrative: On June 2, 2017 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Operator and his passenger docked their vessel at the fueling dock at Ocean Isle Fishing Center in Ocean Isle Beach. They began fueling the vessel.   
  
  Unfortunately, the fuel was not being dispensed into the fuel reservoir but instead had been flowing into a rod holder located about 8 inches away from the fueling reservoir.  As a result of this mistake, approximately 28 gallons of fuel had been pumped into the bilge of the vessel.  The vessel's bilge pump came on and began pumping raw gas out into the water around the dock area.  
  
  A local commercial fisherman made them aware of the problem and told them they needed to contact Sea Tow and have them come and haul the boat away so they could have someone take the vessel out of the water and pump out the remaining fuel.  
  
  Sea Tow was called and when the Sea Tow employee arrived, he docked his vessel on the fueling dock immediately to the stern of Operator's vessel.  He was made aware of the situation and advised the owner that in order for him to tow the vessel safely, the batteries needed to be disconnected to prevent any sparks or potential fuel being pumped by the bilge pump into the waterway while being towed.  
  
  The owner of the vessel and the passenger then proceeded to try to disconnect the battery cables from the battery terminals with a wrench.  While doing this, a spark was created and caused the vapors and/or fumes to ignite and an explosion to occur.  
  
  Employee was standing on the floating dock and was knocked down by the explosion.  Operator and Occupant were blown back towards the bow of the vessel.  Personnel working at the fishing center immediately shut off the fuel to the pumps on the dock and witnesses began calling 911 and rendering aid to the three victims of the explosion.  
  
  Operator and Occupant were air lifted to Chapel Hill and Employee was taken to Grand Strand Medical in Myrtle Beach.  Employee received burns mainly to his upper body.  Operator and Occupant suffered more severe burns and injuries but were conscious and able to speak after the incident.  
  
  It does not appear that alcohol or drugs played any role in this particular incident.
  
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