Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
On Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:40:06 +0000, IanM
wrote:

Steve Lusardi wrote:
"IanM" wrote:
Steve Lusardi wrote:
After reading my first comment, it might be considered a bit impolite and
that was not my intention. LPG, CNG or gasoline is really convenient, but
it truly is very dangerous. It is virtually impossible to make any of
them safe if any part of the system is below deck. For that reason, I
carry only Diesel and use only electric below deck. If gasoline must be
used for an outboard, then it must be carried on deck.
Steve

And how many aerosol cans and bottles of volatile solvents do you have
aboard? They are all potential bombs in an enclosed space.

None
Steve
OK, I respect that. After considering the risk/benefit ratio, you've
decided to do the job *right* and eliminate the source of risk totally.

I still reckon my chances of getting blown to bits by gas and volatiles
aboard are small enough that keeping on top of preventative maintenance,
good operating procedures, proper stowage etc. is acceptable risk
management.

I've got a bigger chance of dying messily (or worse - not quite dying)
driving to the boat most weekends. If I was a close friend or relative
of the guy who lost a leg in an onboard gas explosion in Poole a few
years back, I might feel differently but the statistics don't support
the emotional reaction. With a lower background risk level, I might
reconsider.

What do you do if you think you may need a blowtorch while cruising? I
assume you don't carry any paints and varnish etc. for touching up
scrapes when they happen?


If you are describing a "week-ender" you are correct but what about
the live-aboards and long distance cruisers?

By the way, after worrying about all the LPG, gasoline, etc. I know of
a boat that sunk in the harbor at Langkawi, Malaysia because a bottle
of MEK (Thinner it is called over here) broke in bad weather and
dripped down on a water hose and dissolved it. The owner was ashore,
in the hospital, so the boat sank.

Of course there were usual stories about "sinking the boat for
insurance" but I met the owner some years later and the insurance
company had paid off and he was rebuilding the boat in Thailand.

While I certainly agree with you that one should be as safe as
possible but on the other hand messing about on water that is over
your head must considered as inherently unsafe.... just as flying in
airplanes.... or driving cars....or smoking.
Cheers,

Bruce
We did several thousand NM last year and I carry more spares and
maintenance supplies than many boats 10' longer. For 'just a weekender'
we do a **** of a lot of sailing and I end up fixing the boat in
interesting places even if not the exotic one the blue water guys get to
:-) And yes that is with gas, including a spare bottle that cannot be
stowed in the dedicated locker, petrol, aerosols, thinners and a gas
lighter on board.

I have heard the tale of a skipper who had a tin of Nitromors paint
stripper rust out that ate a hole through the GRP of the bottom of his
boat. The first he knew about it was when he didn't have to pump the
bilge every week! (deep non-self draining cockpit, boat blocked up
ashore) Apparently the glassfibre was still there but the resin had
gone form an area the size of a dinner plate :-(

If we are off the boat overnight or longer, the seacocks *are* all
closed. I'm lazy and I dont bother shutting everything off if I'm just
going ashore for a meal or a quick shop. If I ended up in hospital, and
was able to talk I reckon any friend, fellow boater or *working* harbour
official would be happy to secure my vessel, closing seacocks,
isolating the batteries and shutting off the fuel and gas etc. Your
acquaintance was unlucky not to have the seacock closed.

The greatest risk I take is returning from the pub by tender . . . .
Life is a risk, no-one gets out alive!


--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
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