RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 was tied to dock and finished fueling.  Operator is reported to have had the blower running.  Operator started ignition and fuel vapors collected above and below deck ignited in a fire ball causing burns to operator.  Operator left vessel and jumped into water. Witness 1 used gas dock fire extinguisher on boat and threw operator a life ring and assisted him onto the dock.  EMS treated operator at scene and transported to Mercy Hospital in Lorain.  Operator was later flown to Cleveland Metro burn unit.  Several days later operator died of complications following the burn injuries.
  
  Upon inspection of the boat it was observed that the deck had been modified/replaced with plywood and laminate.  The operators seat was mounted to this decking just above the on board fuel tank.  The bolts for the seat mount on the underside of decking had chaffed through the fuel hose in at least two places. The underside of the fuel hose also showed sign of friction and dry rot.  There was a strong odor of gasoline fumes near the forward end of fuel tank.  The fuel tank was no longer attached to any supports due to age and rotten wood.
  