Phuket Yacht Haven Staff Praised For Averting Marina Fireball

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Phuket Yacht Haven staff praised for averting marina fireball

Phuket Gazette

Phuket's Yacht Haven Marina is home to many high-end yachts as it can accommodate vessels up to 80 meters long. Photo: Gazette file

Quick action by staff at Phuket Yacht Haven who towed the burning boat to deeper water saved other boats moored at the marina. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

PHUKET: -- A power boat berthed at Yacht Haven Marina in Phuket went up in flames last night, but heroic action by staff at the facility minimized the damage to surrounding vessels as they were able to tow it safely out to deeper water.

No injuries were reported.

Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation emergency rescue workers, called to the scene at 7:45pm, watched helplessly as flames engulfed the 70-foot vessel well offshore.

Although staff at the marina were unavailable for comment this morning, Australian yachtsman Mark Ainscough who witnessed the events recounted:

“It was opening night for the new owners of the Haven Restaurant, that overlooks Yacht Haven Marina. Myself and Cathy (SV Catcha Star on B Jetty) were having dinner with friends from two other boats, all from Australia.

“We had not been seated long when another boat owner in the restaurant asked if we had boats in the marina. He went on to explain there was a boat on fire on D Jetty. Moments later told us that his crew of eight had it all under control.

“But 10 minutes later we saw a huge tower of flames and black smoke. It appeared to be getting out of control and looked like it would spread to neighboring boats at any moment. We were all getting ready to throw the lines and get out, as fire can travel fast along floating timber jetties.

“We then noticed that the ball of flames was moving. A team of very brave people in dinghies managed to get some tow lines attached to the burning boat and were courageously towing the boat out of the marina while others were spraying the engulfed vessel from fire fighting pumps.

“They successfully towed the boat out to clear water were it was no longer a danger to the marina. It is a credit to the marina managers Nick and Zara and their team that no one was hurt.

“Only the one power boat was destroyed, with possibly one or two others that were singed or received smoke damage,” he said.

The name of the vessel or its owner have yet to be released.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11631.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-12-07

[thaiIand]

How do you not have water pumps on a <deleted> marina? How do you have your boat completely burn off when someone spots it burning on a <deleted> ocean..

seriously, that would be like having a cement block magically turn to fire in a tropical jungle.

[Jimi007]

How do you not have water pumps on a <deleted> marina? How do you have your boat completely burn off when someone spots it burning on a <deleted> ocean..

seriously, that would be like having a cement block magically turn to fire in a tropical jungle.

What is a power boat filled with? Fuel. Also LPG for cooking. Electrical problems happen on boats, especially in salt water. They are lucky they got it away from the dock and that it didn't explode!

[cloudhopper]

My sail boat is there at the moment for some work and IMO the marina has utterly inadequate fire fighting equipment and is very poorly maintained in general. Not even any safety railings along the edge of the high concrete walkway in front of the shops. Can't wait to get out of there...