Boat Fire

From: Commodore McGillin

For the second time in a little over a month, we had a boat fire at the mainstation docks. The most recent occurred Saturday afternoon May 17. Sadly, Dennis Grendahl's boat Crystal Seas caught fire while moored under cover on Dock 1. The fire was first detected by member Bob Gunderson and quickly thereafter by Nick Castrow, PC Dave Krows and Dave Svendsen. Dave Krows called 911. They grabbed hoses and began putting water on the structures around the boat. PC Lynn Montgomery, Art Mauldin, Steve Hansen, Gary Nelson and Ski Cegelske also jumped in to help out. Numerous other members were there to do what they could do and we will get a complete list as soon as possible.

From the time the first call was received by Seattle 911 to the time Engine 22 arrived on scene only 10 minutes had elapsed. Within a short time, more than 20 pieces of emergency equipment had arrived at the club. The firefighters on Engine 22 quickly and professionally fought the fire and put it out. We owe the men of Engine 22, Station 22 (Roanoke) and the Seattle Fire Department a great debt of gratitude. They saved our club from extensive damage and our members' boats from further loss. As one of them put it after the fire was out, "If that had been going a few minutes more before we got here, we would have been defending the asphalt of your parking lot."

I spoke to Denny shortly after the receiving the report that the incident was underway, and needless to say he was glad to hear that no one was hurt and that the fire had been contained to the boat and did not spread to other boats or the docks. But as we all know, the loss of a boat always tugs at the heartstrings, especially with an owner like Denny who has put so much care into it.

The Crystal Seas, a 1991 Bayliner 4588, was initially towed to the horseshoe where the firefighters systematically made sure that all of the fire was out. Dean Lengtis was there shortly thereafter and a decision was made to have the boat towed to Dunato's for security and to enable the insurance forensic and adjuster specialists to view the boat, determine damage, and if possible, the origin of the fire. John Dunato secured the boat and towed it to his yard after it was released by the Fire Department. John is a true friend of the club.

We will be gathering information from our members who were present at the incident and putting together a lessons-learned profile. Please be careful. Remember--see fire--call 911.

Commodore
Bill McGillin

note: This thread was moved to the Members' Forum on 7/14/2008 so that further dialog can be added.