Boating accident investigations 1973 ; fire and explosion

The report describes a program designed to provide statistically sound engineering data on what failures cause explosions and fires on boats and to ascertain why the failures occurred. Five tables have been developed to accumulate the key information from 38 investigations. In addition, the individual detailed investigation reports are provided for reference. The data tables can serve as an index for the Case Reports where the data tables provide an inadequate breakdown for some particular area of concern. This report includes a complete set of data tables for 1973, 1972 and 1970. The data tend to indicate that the effective control of all ignition sources in machinery spaces is necessary to help control fires and explosions, that the sources of fuel leakage are varied (with fuel tanks the primary source of fuel leakage) and that boat construction materials are a prime means of fire spread. With respect to fuel leakage, the report tends to indicate that galvanic corrosion and the lack of inspection are major contributing factors. (Author).