Fire!
Hanalei last week at Vista Mar Marina, Panama.
In May, 2021, the South Pacific was finally opening up again. The Chief Engineer and I were excited about our plans to head for New Zealand. Outfitted with new electronics, we were prepared for anything. We returned home from Panama to get COVID vaccines and enjoy summer in the Pacific Northwest.
Plans, plans, plans.
You know how plans go, right?
Foredeck.
In the early morning of August 15, 2021, there was a fire onboard SV Hanalei.
Here’s what the fire department said (my translation):
“It is concluded, after the completion of the inspection of the major affected area, that the fire originated in the area of the kitchen the dining room and the small living room, with the fan on the seat in the small living area as the point of origin and that the cause that generated the fire is the product of an electrical failure that is generated after an atmospheric discharge.”
What does that mean?
A bolt of lightning in the marina caused a major power surge. The shore-power cord was blown out of the pedestal, as were the cords for two nearby boats, each attached to different pedestals. No big deal, except a fan was left connected to shore power which ignited a fire in Hanalei’s salon.
Cockpit showing door to engine room.
The engine compartment, completely isolated from the boat’s interior, was untouched.
Engine room post-fire.
Another hull might have burned to the waterline, but Hanalei is an Amel. The fire self-extinguished due to lack of oxygen.
Fire Damage
It still hurts to review the damage. I’ll turn this over to the Chief Engineer for his report.
Galley.
Heat damage extended to the galley, nav station, the forward hall area, and forward head.
A fan in the salon caused the fire.
Nav station, ready for a fresh start.
Forward cabin.
From front to back, smoke affected the entire boat.
Forward head.
Inspections
A diver surveyed the boat to make sure there was no damage below the waterline, with particular emphasis on the various through-hull points.
His report?
“Nothing found.”
An internationally-respected marine surveyor joined the Chief Engineer in Panama. They inspected the boat with particular focus on the mast, the wiring exiting the mast at its base, and the rig. The surveyor concluded that there was no lightning strike on the boat itself but that there was a voltage surge that shorted the fan and led to the fire. Given that multiple boats were affected, and none reported evidence of a direct strike, the surveyor surmised that the root cause of the voltage surge was a lightning strike on shore that caused a surge in the ground wire connected to the affected pedestals.
One of the other affected boats reported damage to LED lights and diodes in an alternator. The captain of that boat flew his drone over his mast and Hanalei’s. No apparent damage to Hanalei.
Hanalei mast head taken after fire.
Power Statement
Both the engine (Volvo Penta TMD22P with about 5000 hours) and the Genset (Onan 7kW 220v with about 5000 hours) are in operating condition. They both received regular service throughout their lives. The engine room is isolated from the rest of the boat interior and was unaffected by the fire.
Both the 24v and 220v breaker panels were damaged by the heat of the fire and the plastic elements of the breakers melted. During the inspection by the surveyor, we were able to jump breakers for the bow thruster, windlass, and genoa furler. All these functioned.
Wiring on the back side of the breaker panel appeared undamaged (that is, we did not observe melted insulation). Wiring to overhead lights and fans mounted close to the cabin roof in the areas of the salon, galley, and nav station was damaged.
View from nav station wet locker to aft cabin.
Passageway berth above battery storage.
Current State of the Boat
After the inspection was complete, Stephan went to work. He stripped the boat of personal possessions, removed the soft goods (curtains, carpets, cushions, etc.), and disposed of all fire-damaged electrical and electronic equipment and appliances.
Aft head.
The final step was to hire a professional company to clean the complete interior of the boat.
Aft cabin.
Aft deck and lazarette.
Hanalei remains in Vista Mar Marina, about a ninety-minute drive from Panama City. She’s cared for by Wikus Marine. The maintenance program includes a daily walkaround, dockline inspection, running the engine and genset, cleaning the boat monthly, and cleaning the hull as needed (three or four times a year).
Now What?
So, there it is. We don’t have the money or time or emotional wherewithal to restore our home the way she deserves. We had a good run, though, and hope this post reaches someone who can love her as much as we have done.
Fair Winds,
Xine
PS Curious about how Hanalei came to be in Panama? Read The Art of Stealing Your Own Boat
