Local news reports, Geico race boat burns to water line, all are OK

[appsyscons]

Local news reports, Geico race boat burns to water line, and about 5:30pm today. All are OK

I took this earlier today


IMG_9998001001 by Frank Fasulo (appsyscons), on Flickr


Here is a like to the local news report

Geico powerboat bursts into flames | HeraldTribune.com

[Ratickle]

At 9:00 the boat was still upside down in the water.

From what I'm being told on the scene, there was a catastrophic engine failure causing a fire. Scotty tried to put it out with a hand-held extinguisher, but it was out of control. The boat burned and sank. I guess the automatic fire suppression system failed? Or they didn't have one? I do not know at this time.

[Ratickle]

Pic from theTrib...

[Ratickle]

[Freezeframevideo]

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

Since Marc and Scotty are both okay, I guess I can say dumbazz stuff...


I wonder if it's insured??????


If it is, would the insurance still be valid if they were going over the maximum 150mph speed allowed? Or would the insurance company fight the claim????


In one of the newspaper comments, somebody said they hoped that irritating little lizard was on board and burned up.

[Bobcat]

I'm glad everyone was OK....cool boat....cool crew/staff.


It was probably caused by that ugly wing thingy they added ...

[lucky strike]

What a bummer

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

[TUG IT!!]

Man that SUCKSADINGDONG!! Sorry to hear about the girl... Glad Scott and Marc are ok.. Good luck with whatever the next step is guys..

[Ratickle]

Yes it does. I wonder if they have enough engines/parts to put the 44 back together in time for St Clair????

[appsyscons]

Yes it does. I wonder if they have enough engines/parts to put the 44 back together in time for St Clair????

The geico guys have always said, they want to race!

How about this
put a pair of 850s in the 44 MTI and go run SBI SuperBoatCat class. That would make for a 5 boat class, based on actual boats racing in the first two SBI events, this year.



ALSO FYI: Local news is now reporting "A witness who saw the Miss Geico racing boat catch fire on Saturday evening says the crew was initially unaware of the blaze.", so I guess it was not a massive jet turbine failure, as previously reported by the news.

[Spudsbud]

My FIL was on the beach watching. I sent him! He said it burned bad & fast. Glad they got out unharmed.

[Scotty B]

High pressure oil fitting failed

[Ratickle]

Thanks Scotty, I heard that but was waiting for verification.

Curious, why did the automatic extinguishing system not put the fire out? I would guess you guys count on it to do its job...

[Ratickle]

The geico guys have always said, they want to race!

How about this
put a pair of 850s in the 44 MTI and go run SBI SuperBoatCat class. That would make for a 5 boat class, based on actual boats racing in the first two SBI events, this year.



ALSO FYI: Local news is now reporting "A witness who saw the Miss Geico racing boat catch fire on Saturday evening says the crew was initially unaware of the blaze.", so I guess it was not a massive jet turbine failure, as previously reported by the news.

I think they should put 750's in it so they don't have to worry about the added weight, lower RPM's, or possible additional penalties if they go above 150mph.

[Ratickle]

This would really suck in some ways. In other ways you're probably telling each other glad you're okay and at least we have the chance to abandon ship...



Crew member of "Miss Geico" prepare to abandon ship after their race boat caught fire Saturday off Lido Key in Sarasota. (Photo provided by David Gregg)

Witness: Miss Geico crew initially unaware of fire | HeraldTribune.com

[Ratickle]