A few weeks ago I received an email from SWALLOW’s marina with the following subject line –
Vessel fire incident
Now that will get any caring boat owner’s attention!
First of all SWALLOW is fine and wasn’t near the boat that caught fire. Second the LIVEABOARD community likely kept the fire from growing to a conflagration of vessels and docks. Yes liveaboards … those hated persons of the State of Washington and marinas seem to have been present and responded to an issue that would have gone unseen if no one was at the marina.
As written by the marina manager –
What a Heroic morning it was for our amazing Liveaboard community. … Because of the fast response from our Liveaboard community, a complete disaster was evaded. You all knew exactly what to do! While 911 was being called, a liveaboard tenant began fighting the fire with a hose. As more of you became aware of the incident, you jumped in to assist. Surrounding boats were towed to safer moorings, and the fire department was directed to the location. If it wasn’t for your fast action, we could have lost numerous vessels and potentially lives. So my team, along with all of the marina tenants gives a big THANK YOU to all involved. Next time you see a liveaboard strolling the docks, be sure to say Thank You…..They are our eyes, ears, security, and at times hero’s at the marina. Because of the fast response from our Liveaboard community, a complete disaster was evaded. You all knew exactly what to do! While 911 was being called, a liveaboard tenant began fighting the fire with a hose. As more of you became aware of the incident, you jumped in to assist. Surrounding boats were towed to safer moorings, and the fire department was directed to the location. If it wasn’t for your fast action, we could have lost numerous vessels and potentially lives. So my team, along with all of the marina tenants gives a big THANK YOU to all involved. Next time you see a liveaboard strolling the docks, be sure to say Thank You…..They are our eyes, ears, security, and at times hero’s at the marina.
I’m relieved SWALLOW is OK and I am thankful the marina residents were present. To bad the state and most marinas don’t realize that liveaboards are a resource!
Read more here – https://48north.com/news/theres-a-fire-in-the-marina/
S/V Swallow 