We teach in our FunToSAIL sailing classes that boats, particularly powerboats can explode if one does not turn on the blower for 4 minutes minimum. A blower on a powerboat is a fan system designed to suck out fumes that accumulate in the bilge, enclosed areas, etc. There is the potential for a fire and/or explosion if the blower is not turned on for 4 minutes or more. Some boaters think it these explosions only happens large boats with lots of fuel. As noted in the case below that is not true. read on...
KOOTENAI COUNTY, ID. — A man was injured after a watercraft exploded on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Thursday, July 6.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office says law enforcement responded to Blackrock Marina in Rockford Bay for reports of a personal watercraft explosion.
KCSO says the preliminary investigation indicates that the operator of the watercraft was fueling it, and before pressing on the gas to accelerate, the watercraft exploded, throwing him into the water.
His daughter, who was on another watercraft, got into the water to help him before emergency personnel arrived.
The man was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
"The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind operators of PWC’s to ventilate the engine compartment by removing the seat for a minimum of 4 minutes, prior to starting. This allows fumes to dissipate from the hull of the watercraft, and prevents combustion."
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