I remember the story, an tragic series of events. It stuck out because one of the injured was Michael Brown.
Quote 1) A mechanical problem is being blamed for last night's deadly boat explosion at the Erie Yacht Club. One woman was killed, and 5 people remain hospitalized, including Aaron Hertel and Michael Brown, co-owners of a local physical therapy business. The blast claimed the life of 25 year old Erin Carlisle, a passenger on the boat. Coroner Lyell Cook said, "There were surface burns, blunt force trauma. There is evidence there was inhalation of the super heated gases." The explosion Monday night happened just after the boat was gassed up at the fuel dock at the Erie Yacht Club. Witness Lou Richards said, "I knew it was terrible from the beginning because I saw debris flying above the tops of the masts of the sailboats, probably 100 feet in the air."Investigators say the boat had been having some mechanical problems, and apparently that led to the explosion by allowing vapors to stay in the engine compartment. A spark from the throttle apparently touched off the blast which was so powerful the deck separated from the boat. Chief Fire Inspector Guy Santone said, " So when he went to try to start it it would not start the first or second time. So he hit the throttle to try to give it some more gas. When he hit it the third time there was a back fire and then the explosion occurred." quote 2) A powerboat that was damaged by an explosion at Pennsylvania’s Erie Yacht Club had mechanical problems before the accident, which killed a 25-year-old woman and injured five other people, according to Erie’s chief fire inspector. The problems apparently started when the gas pump kept shutting off as an attendant filled the second of two gas tanks on the 32-foot Wellcraft, Guy Santone told the Erie Times-News. They resulted in an explosion that killed Erin Carlisle, of Erie, and injured the gas attendant and four people on the boat, including owner Aaron Hertel and Hertel’s 2-year-old son. An investigation into the cause of the blast revealed a faulty gasket in the boat’s right tank that investigators believe “gave way,” Santone said. That allowed gas fumes to enter the engine compartment instead of going out of the boat, he added. The buildup of fumes fueled an explosion that investigators believe was set off when the boat backfired as Hertel tried to start it, Santone said. The boat, named Jimmy Time, was split in half by the force of the explosion, which occurred Monday, he said. Investigators said they believe Hertel had owned the boat for a little more than a week and that Monday night was the first time he had filled its tanks since he bought the vessel. The ongoing investigation will include trying to obtain records from the boat’s previous owner, Santone said. Randomly I could smell gas on Windburn, very faint and usually after a heavy weather race. I did replace the fill and vent hose, then the fuel line. Replaced and tightened the clamps. Started turning off the fuel valve on the tank. Still persisted. Figured out that at some point with a PO the fuel sensor had been replaced, and the mechanic installed a "blind hole" unit instead of a "through hole" unit. The five screws that were used to fasten down the mounting ring went through the tank wall, but there was no sealing of the screw body to the mounting ring. So gasoline would seep along the threads and escape, mainly in rough conditions heeled to starboard. The correct kit, which does not mention the distinction, is labeled "Includes 5 Self-Sealing Screws". My fix was to use larger machine screws with a neoprene washer / seal fed upwards from inside the tank. I did so because the threads in the tank wall were getting worn. The mounting ring and sender plate then fastened down with gaskets and nuts. No more leaks. A discussion at a couple of marine stores lead me to assume the staff did not know there was any difference in senders, and did not stock the through hole model. For me the correct part is Moeller 35728-10, less than $10 at West Marine. Michael Brown Windburn C&C 30-1 Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:50:15 -0500 From: "Bill Coleman" <colt...@verizon.net> To: <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Subject: Re: Stus-List Atomic 4 Message-ID: <0ce501cf1d3c$189c1840$49d448c0$@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII 3 1/2 years ago we had a bad blowup at the gas dock (Erie) I heard a KaBoom and looked up to see parts flying 50 feet above the gas dock. Several very bad burns, and one of the bur victim's young bride down below was killed. Still in litigation, suspect bad vent hoses, I think. I don't want anything to do with Gasoline, I'm forgetful enough without something else to remember. Bill Coleman C&C 39
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