Liveaboard fire

[InTheDrink]

I know the crew on this boat. By all accounts they did a superb job. Still ******* terrifying.

This incident could have had some additional vectors that could have impacted the ultimately successful outcome of all souls saved.

1. Time of day
2. Promity to land
3. Less experienced/dligent crew

My old epirb is flooded.

Any suggestions for a good option these days? Including casing.

Thanks and so happy everyone safe

 

[DandyDon]

My old epirb is flooded.

Any suggestions for a good option these days? Including casing.

EPIRBs are registered to a boat while PLBs are designed for use by an individual. I'm guessing that you had a PLB. A leaking canister usually won't kill one tho as they are generally water-resistant to 30 feet or so. Are you sure you don't just need a battery service?

I lost my PLB and canister on a trip last summer, got a good trip insurance payment, and bought the new ACR View and a Custom Divers canister. I had to order the canister from the UK, but it got here quickly and the total cost with shipping wasn't bad, a little over $100 I think. It'd be cheaper for you since you're there. Or Amazon has what's called a WICKED PLB Dive Safety Canister for $170, considerably more than I spent on my Custom Divers canister.

 

[KevinNM]

Light Monkey will make a PLB container from the stock for their battery packs. You have to call them for this. Not as cheap as some other options but can include other supplies if desired.

 

[Miyaru]

Update from Bob Latif on facebook:

Soooo... I have done lots of interesting things in my life, jumping off of a burning boat had thankfully evaded me till now.​

On the 19th of April, I was on the beautiful @scubasceneliveaboard sailing from Hurghada in Egypt heading towards the #thistlegorm wreck and then #Tiran and Ras Mohammed for a week of diving with my good American friends.​

On my way to breakfast I noticed some smoke coming from the engine room, below decks. Initially I was not worried. Many a boat spews diesel from cold engines and it was a windy day so I thought the wind was blowing back the exhaust.​

Ironically, we were asked to do a practise fire drill and jokingly we commented how the crew had made it extra realistic with the smoke.​

When the muster bell rang, I headed down to my cabin to get life vests for myself and my cabin buddy. There was already a lot of smoke in the passageways and cabin. Choking, I quickly grabbed the vest and headed up to muster on the Bow as previously instructed.​

Passing the gangway on the starboard side I had to pass through an open bay door, by now spewing out thick black smoke. I held my breath and went through the smoke to meet everyone on the Bow.​

I was still not overly concerned. I have spent a lot of time on boats and engine issues are common. The wind was really blowing and may have contributed to fanning sparks and flames.​

Things turned very quickly.​

We got the order to evacuate and quickly went down the Port side gangway to the stern of the boat to start climbing/jumping into the dinghies. The woman in front of me almost went in to the water missing her step. The flames had already taken hold and were now fully visible on the starboard side.​

I saw a crew member collecting sea water in a small bucket and remember thinking that was a waste of time.​

Thankfully the crew also quickly decided to abandon ship and get into the second dinghy.​

We all escaped safely and relatively unhurt.​

I am deeply grateful to the crew and our guides for everything they did to help save our lives, and look after us later on.​

I also want to mention everyone who has reached out to check on me and wished me well. Thank you xxx​

 

[DandyDon]

Many a boat spews diesel from cold engines

I have driven a number of diesel-powered tractors and never heard of such a thing.

and it was a windy day so I thought the wind was blowing back the exhaust.

Yeah, that's possible.

 

[Joneill]

I have driven a number of diesel-powered tractors and never heard of such a thing.

If you read the full sentence It’s pretty obvious they were talking about thinking it was just exhaust smoke blowing back due to the windy conditions and… fyi, diesel engine can be quite smokey.

 

[DandyDon]

If you read the full sentence It’s pretty obvious they were talking about thinking it was just exhaust smoke blowing back due to the windy conditions and… fyi, diesel engine can be quite smokey.

I did, in fact I quoted the whole sentence. Yes, diesel engines are smokey, but not leaky.

any a boat spews diesel from cold engines

 

[Diver With Altitude]

When the muster bell rang, I headed down to my cabin to get life vests for myself and my cabin buddy

This seems particularly ill-advised on a burning boat.

And this is only one reason why:

Choking, I quickly grabbed the vest and headed up to muster on the Bow as previously instructed.Passing the gangway on the starboard side I had to pass through an open bay door, by now spewing out thick black smoke. I held my breath and went through the smoke to meet everyone on the Bow.

There should be life vests and other floatation devices on deck.

 

[scubadada]

I have asked this question before, did the boat have an automatic fire suppression system in the engine room? This was a high class boat. I understand the system may cost $100K, a small price to pay for safety.

 

[DandyDon]

This seems particularly ill-advised on a burning boat.

Yeah, going below during a fire alarm seems risky. He thought it was a drill.

Ironically, we were asked to do a practise fire drill and jokingly we commented how the crew had made it extra realistic with the smoke.

It'd probably be wise to treat drills as if they were real, since they are at times.

On my way to breakfast I noticed some smoke coming from the engine room, below decks.

Yeah, diesel engines are smoky, but that would have set off my personal alert. Not something I would ignore.