RedactedNarrative: On 6/13/15 at approximately 2220 hrs, a single vessel accident occurred on Dunn’s Creek, Putnam County, Florida. V1 a 19 foot fiberglass open motor boat powered by 250 horsepower inboard/ outboard was docked when it caught fire. While the operator was attempting to start the engine an explosion occurred resulting in a minor burn to one of the occupants but the occupant refused medical treatment. V1 was completely destroyed due to the fire. 
  
  • At 1800 hrs Operator and Occupant launched V-1 at the SR 17 boat ramp at Dunn’s Creek. 
  • Operator test drove V-1 for several minutes and then arrived at the dock. 
  • Operator began to smell the odor of gasoline and realized that there was fuel in the bilge of V-1. 
  • Operator discovered that V-1 had a leak in the fuel tank and immediately started to place the fuel into a gasoline container. 
  • Operator attempted to get all of the fuel out of the bilge with buckets and towels. 
  • Operator and Occupant drove to St. Augustine and purchased a new fuel container and line. 
  • Operator and Occupant arrived at the dock where V-1 was left and installed the new fuel container. 
  • Operator activated the electric blower and let it run for 5 minutes. 
  • At approximately 2210 hrs, Operator attempted to start the engine and when the engine turned over Operator observed an explosion. 
  • Operator stated the bilge was engulfed in flames and he immediately evacuated from the vessel. 
  • Occupant stepped from the dock and onto the vessel in an attempt to recover the new fuel container. 
  • Occupant broke the line loose and began to exit the vessel with the container, when the fuel that was running from the hose ignited. 
  • Due to a small amount of fuel on Occupant’s left lower leg, the fire ignited the fuel causing minor burns to his lower leg. 
  • Operator untied the vessel to prevent the dock from catching fire. 
  • Operator immediately called 911. 
  • Operator stated that he traded an ATV and a couple hundred dollars for the vessel and had invested $2000.00 in the vessel. 
  • Operator has no insurance. 
  I interviewed Occupant and gained the following information: 
  • Occupant was assisting Operator with the repair of V-1. 
  • Occupant was on the dock when Operator attempted to start the engine of V-1. 
  • When the engine started, an explosion occurred which caused a fire in V-1’s bilge. 
  • Occupant observed Operator flee the vessel onto the dock. 
  • Occupant stated the fire subsided some and decided to retrieve the fuel container before it caught fire. 
  • Occupant broke the fuel line free and attempted to take it back to the dock. 
  • Occupant stated the fuel line was dripping fuel and that fuel got on his leg. 
  • The fuel ignited causing a minor burn to the outside of his left calf (lower leg). 
  
  I inspected the remains of the vessel which I located at the end of the dock. The fire burnt to the waterline and I was not able to obtain any information from it. The V-1’s hull was submerged and I could make out the gunwales. I photographed the vessel damage and Occupant’s burn injury. The cause of the accident was due to gasoline vapors that built up in the bilge that were the result of a leaking fuel tank. I was unable to determine if the blower was functional do to the extensive damage caused by the fire. The cause of the accident was mechanical failure and no navigational rules were violated.