Today's local newspaper contains a boating-related story that challenges my
belief that people do possess some degree of common sense. Three employees
of a New Hampshire marina were trying to clean up gasoline that had spilled
in the cabin of a Baja boat, using a wet-or-dry vacuum cleaner. A Fire
Department captain said "When they turned the vacuum cleaner on, there was
an explosion". The three employees, all in their twenties, are hospitalized
with 1'st and 2'nd degree burns. The owner of the marina had no comment, and
ordered the media off his property. Probably a good move, but I doubt it
will save him.

John Wentworth wrote:

Today's local newspaper contains a boating-related story that challenges my
belief that people do possess some degree of common sense. Three employees
of a New Hampshire marina were trying to clean up gasoline that had spilled
in the cabin of a Baja boat, using a wet-or-dry vacuum cleaner. A Fire
Department captain said "When they turned the vacuum cleaner on, there was
an explosion". The three employees, all in their twenties, are hospitalized
with 1'st and 2'nd degree burns. The owner of the marina had no comment, and
ordered the media off his property. Probably a good move, but I doubt it
will save him.



Indeed. Everyone knows the best way to get rid of a gasoline puddle is
to toss a burning tampon into it.

Hey...this is rec.boats, right?

So...how many think the explosion was caused because the vacuum was AC
instead of DC?

Alternately, would the gasoline have exploded if the vacuum were being
run by a diesel generator?

And, of course:

What was the name of the boat?



--
* * *
email sent to will *never* get to me.

No, you don't have to wonder at all. Mr. Darwin figured it all out for us
many years ago.

JG

Also try to remember that out of 300 million people taking hundreds of
actions each day most really do show smarts and common sense. But
with all that activity there are bound to be either:

A) People that are uninformed and misjudge something
B) People that are otherwise smart but just have a lapse.

I know I've done plenty of bone-head things. Fortunately it's usually
small thigns as I try to pay special attention the more serious things get.

I'll bet most people here, if judged only on their worst few actions &
decisions would be seen as stupid, ignorant, etc.

But, of course, you don't hear much about the people that handle
something well...only about the stupid moves.

Just another perspective...

That's not a bad point. In the marina this weekend (on stands beside the
sling) was a big old Chris Craft, really pretty flybridge. She had the props
tore off her. The captain had taken the wrong side of a marker.

Someone who knew him vouched for his many years of experience and commented
how it was mystifying as to why he had done that.

I don't think it takes long to be in a bad spot.

That said, vacuuming up gasoline with a wet/dry vac is a little off the
scale (IMHO).


"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

Also try to remember that out of 300 million people taking hundreds of
actions each day most really do show smarts and common sense. But
with all that activity there are bound to be either:

A) People that are uninformed and misjudge something
B) People that are otherwise smart but just have a lapse.

I know I've done plenty of bone-head things. Fortunately it's usually
small thigns as I try to pay special attention the more serious things
get.

I'll bet most people here, if judged only on their worst few actions &
decisions would be seen as stupid, ignorant, etc.

But, of course, you don't hear much about the people that handle
something well...only about the stupid moves.

Just another perspective...

http://www4.fosters.com/News2003/Aug.../sun_0810e.asp

"accident" case closed, no lack of training for staff by owner of Marina
etc.


"John Wentworth" wrote in message
news:fs7Za.70808$cF.22348@rwcrnsc53...
Today's local newspaper contains a boating-related story that challenges
my
belief that people do possess some degree of common sense. Three employees
of a New Hampshire marina were trying to clean up gasoline that had
spilled
in the cabin of a Baja boat, using a wet-or-dry vacuum cleaner. A Fire
Department captain said "When they turned the vacuum cleaner on, there was
an explosion". The three employees, all in their twenties, are
hospitalized
with 1'st and 2'nd degree burns. The owner of the marina had no comment,
and
ordered the media off his property. Probably a good move, but I doubt it
will save him.