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Maritime Accident News

Propane tank explosion destroys boat and sends owner to hospital in Puget Sound

Posted on Feb 02, 2012

Debris from the 38-foot wooden yacht
(Photo by Jeff Chew/Peninsula Daily News)

A propane tank is believed to be the source of an explosion in Sequim, Wash. that obliterated a private boat and severely injured its owner, reports the Peninsula Daily News.

78-year-old Keith Bryant of Sequim was in critical condition and being treated for back injuries and other serious wounds. He was installing a new 15-gallon propane tank aboard his 38-foot wooden yacht when the blast struck at 5:48 p.m. Tuesday at the John Wayne Marina, said harbormaster Ron Amundson.

The upper structure was completely destroyed and the hull sank. Floating debris covered the boat’s slip. Two boats on both sides were seriously damaged and 10 other boats suffered lesser damage.

A sheen was visible around the dock the next morning from approximately 20 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled from the boat.

The Coast Guard and state Department of Ecology lauded the response of fire fighters and the Port of Port Angeles.

A dive and salvage crew will raise the hull and tow it away.

There were no other injuries reported.

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