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11/04/2009: "Two Boats Burn & Sink At RH -No One Hurt"

(Boat burning & sinking as third boat is moved - I. Guardian photo)

(Updated 11-5-09 @ 8:20 a.m.) The SJI Fire Department, Sheriff’s boat, the Coast Guard, and the private Vessel Assist, all quickly responded to a report of two boats on fire at Roche Harbor Marina Wednesday at approximately 2:35p.m. when San Juan County 911 dispatch reporting the fires.

This is the 4th major marina fire in the surrounding area within the past month. There was one at the Van Isle marina in Sidney on Oct 6; a large one at Coal Harbor Marina in Vancouver on Oct 13, and one at Nanaimo on Oct 21.

Some have pointed out this is a high number of marina fires in so close a time period, making some observers wonder if there could be a connection. The cause of the incident is under investigation. State and federal authorities have responders and investigators at the site.



The first boat to catch fire burned until it sank, but the fire had already spread to a second boat.


(second boat still burning, but sinking - I. Guardian photo)

The second boat continued to slowly sink even after the first boat burned to the water line and sank. No people were reported to be on board the boats

A third boat would have been next in line to burn, but local Vessel Assist was able to move it from harms way.
While all this was going on. the Coast Guard and Vessel Assist providing a safety zone around the burning boats and the San Juan Island Fire Department worked at containing the fire.



(First boat sinking-cabin consumed- as boat begins to sink -Jim Ricks photo)


(First boat sinking-hull sticking up- as second boat begins to sink -Jim Ricks photo)


(Second boat sinking; ready to start the paper work - I. Guardian photo)

The state Department of Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard are now responding to a gas leak resulting from the sunken vessels, one believed to contain approximately 30 gallons of fuel, and the other contains about 200 gallons of fuel. The latter vessel is actively leaking gasoline.

At this time, Ecology and the Coast Guard are working to prevent the gasoline from spreading, while also continuing to protect people and structures from volatile fumes. Ecology placed about 50 feet of boom around the leaked fuel and is continuing to use absorbent pads to soak up as much gasoline as possible.

Other responders include the San Juan County Fire Department and the Roche Harbor Marina staff. The Island Oil Spill Association supplied absorbent materials to assist in the cleanup effort.