Potential Boat Buyer Gets Blown Off

We have noted before that old boats often explode just after they have been sold to a new, and uninformed owner. Well, last week a boat exploded just before it was sold! Vern Banta of Stuart, Florida, didn’t want his old express cruiser any more and had found an interested buyer. All the buyer wanted was a little run on the boat before writing his check. As Banta, his wife, and the potential buyer just pushed off from the dock it exploded, followed by a flash fire. Could there possibly be a link between old boats owned by people who no longer want them and inattention to maintenance which sometimes leads to explosions?

Scene of the accident aboard the cruiser above. The explosion blew off the hatches to the engine room. The boat’s potential buyer hasn’t been seen since.

Report from WPTV.com, April 13th--

Vern Banta's friends call him a tough old bird. But that bird's legs got a bit overcooked Tuesday morning. There are red streaks on the back of both legs. "He just had his hair singed that's all," said one of Banta's friends.

What was supposed to be a five minute boat ride in Stuart, turned into quite the adventure for Banta, his wife and a third person after an explosion and fire on board. "One of those things I guess. Lucky nobody got hurt real bad," said Banta.

The trio left Banta's Stuart waterfront apartment and walked the few steps to the canal where the couple's boat was docked. They had just set off when they had quite the unexpected surprise.

"It just blew up," said Banta. "The motor was running and we just started pulling out into the canal and it blew." A number of people heard the blast and came running. Harvey Thompson called 9-1-1. "I heard a loud explosion, looked out saw smoke and flame and people in the water," he said.

The boat had only minor damage and will live to be sold another day.

“Jump For Your Lives!”

Banta's wife and the other passenger had jumped in. Banta stayed on the boat long enough to crawl up to the bow and get away from the flames.

Investigators say a gas leak somewhere was the culprit. When the boat pulled away, a spark ignited a flash fire, blowing off the hatches. The fire went out quickly on its own but firefighters say this incident is a good reminder for boaters to keep on top of their vessels.

Lt. Brian Nethers from Martin County Fire-Rescue said if you're not a competent boat mechanic, let someone else do the work. "If the fuel lines are old, have them checked. Have the fuel filter checked before you start doing your boating."

Boat For Sale

Banta was trying to sell the boat and in fact, not only was he taking the boat out to get repainted, but the other passenger on board was a potential buyer.

Whether Banta can still make the sale remains to be seen but the name of the boat was the "Escape." That's what three people certainly did today.