PAULINE AF SKANOR

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Fire gutted ARC yacht

The "Pauline af Skanör" which had just finished the ARC rally on Dec 5, 2016, was gutted by fire as she lay alongside at Rodney Bay Marina. On Dec 7 the fire broke out in the forecabin of the Swan 76 ketch. The blaze took hold around 10.30 p.m. One crewmember was on board, dozing in the aft cabin, when he smelt smoke. Luckily he was able to get off and raise the alarm before the fire spread. The fire, believed to be from an electrical source, could not be brought under control with the yacht’s fire extinguishers. The other crew members returned to help fight the fire. They used the yachts ten extinguishes and seven or eight from neighbouring boats. It seemed to stop the fire but then it came back up again. The blaze grew so intense that the forecabin was said to be glowing red with heat. Smoke pouring from the yacht was visible several miles away. Fortunately there were no yachts berthed next to the Swan at the time. Help came from other ARC sailors, including professional skipper Ross Applebey from Scarlet Oyster and some of his crew. They helped close hatches and stuffed the dorade vents with clothes to stop in the inflow of air. The local fire brigade arrived with a diesel pump, but this kept shutting off. The crew of a superyacht berthed several pontoons away was able to run a large diameter fire hose down the dock and its on board pumps were used to blast water at the fire. The fire continued to burn for some two hours despite the water being hosed at it. After 40 tonnes of water were pumped into the boat it was still burning. The boat was way down on her waterline. Eventually the fire was quenched, but the "Pauline af Skanör" was severely damaged by fire and smoke. Staff at the marina helped the crew find hotel accommodation and took clothing away for laundering. The owner of the yacht was due to arrive on Dec 9. The insurance company has been informed. From first appearances and the evidence of the photos, however, the yacht could well be a total constructive loss. Report with photos: http://www.yachtingworld.com/news/crew-fight-to-save-arc-yacht-after-fire-takes-hold-and-rages-on-board-101450#wpA2Sw8GzDgBrLdr.99