Man injured in Sequim boat explosion dies
Feb 13 2012 in Currents by Deborah Bach
A 78-year-old man injured when his boat exploded at a Sequim marina two weeks ago has died.
Keith Bryant died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Wednesday night, the hospital confirmed.
Bryant was onboard his 1959 Bill Garden-designed powerboat, Escale, when it exploded violently on Jan. 31, sending debris flying up to 75 yards away. Bryant was believed to have been installing a 15-gallon propane tank when the blast occurred.
The explosion destroyed Bryant’s 38-foot boat, causing it to immediately sink. Bryant was rescued from the wreckage by a couple who live on a nearby boat shortly before paramedics arrived. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and died last Wednesday night, Feb. 8, in the hospital’s trauma unit.
Bryant’s death certificate notes that he sustained burns over about 5 percent of his body and respiratory tract, as well as leg fractures, and also suffered a heart attack.
An investigation by the Sequim Police Department concluded that the explosion was caused by a propane leak. A diver who inspected the boat after the blast reported that one of the vessel’s two propane tanks was still connected to its piping. The tank was not tightly secured, the diver noted, and the tank appeared to be empty.
Robert said on February 13, 2012
Punctuating that joke with a statement about your “deepest sympathy” is ridiculous.
George said on February 22, 2012
Thanks! Sailor’s due tend toward gallows humor.
That said, such metaphors are rooted in common experience and tragedy. If people didn’t periodically suffer such horrific tragedy, there would be no common reference point for such a “joke”.
A tragic reminder to all of us to treat Propane, Gasoline, and other fuels that vaporize and settle in the hull with new respect and caution.
George said on February 13, 2012
Sort of confirms the old sailors metaphor/aphorism:
A guy decides to go parachuting for the first time. After ground training and rehersal he goes up and jumps. His Primary Chute does not open. He starts to panic, but remembers his training, and reaches for the Reserve Chute. Again nothing happens.
Growing concerned he remembers them telling him that they would provide all the help he needed. He sees someone racing up from the ground toward him and begins to relax. The guy coming up races by, still shooting up into the air. He yells up at him as he passes, “Do you know anything about parachutes?” The guy replies, “No, do you know anything about marine propane stoves?”
Normally that gets a chuckle, but not here. There is a bit of gallows humor and caution in the story. Probably why it has been around so long.
My deepest sympathy to the guys family and frieds. For the rest of us, stay safe out there and make sure the bilge blower is working, and there are no fuel leaks. Tragic!