by Ed Sweeney DC-Ad Deputy Chief- USCGAUX Public Affairs

It was a warm summer afternoon on Memorial Day weekend. Folsom Lake, the most heavily used sole-state lake in California, located about 25 miles northeast from the capitol in Sacramento, was filled with boats of all types and sizes.

A young couple in their twenties, along with the woman’s brother, was enjoying a day of cruising and waterskiing on their older model inboard ski boat. It was just after lunch, and the husband attempted to start the engine and get underway again for more waterskiing in the remote north fork of the American River.

At first the engine didn’t turn over, and the boat was bouncing in the wakes of other boaters in the area. The boat’s ventilation system wasn’t working, and while the couple had intended to get it fixed, they didn’t have time to get it to the dealer before the busy holiday weekend began. The engine also had not been serviced since they purchased the boat almost two years ago.

The husband continued to turn the key, when suddenly there was a loud pop, and smoke started coming form the engine compartment. The three boaters looked at each other, not knowing what to do, or exactly what the problem was. They soon began to sense the acrid smell of burning rubber, as the smoke began to increase from the engine compartment area.

The brother-in-law asked if they had a fire extinguisher on board, and the three began to search the compartments to locate the extinguisher. Once they located it, they actually didn’t know how to operate the extinguisher, and had to take a couple of minutes to read the directions. Once they learned what to do, they attempted to put out the small fire in the engine compartment, and they found out the hard way that their extinguisher had accidentally discharged while being stored under a seat cushion with a lot of other loose gear, and the extinguisher was fully discharged before the fire was completely out. At this point, none of the people on board were wearing life jackets.

Fortunately for the trio, a Good Samaritan in the area saw what was happening, and came by with another fire extinguisher to put out the small engine fire, and called the Coast Guard Auxiliary for further assistance.

This real life scenario described above is not limited to any specific type of craft or operator, or geographical location. Rather, it illustrates the need for boaters to be prepared for emergencies, and to be familiar with not only how to use their equipment, but to ensure that equipment is in good working order.