Nov 30

On November 30, we intended to motor up to Stuart. Before we could go, we had to gas up. Unfortunately, I made a mistake which could have been fatal. I forgot to turn off the propane fridge. While filling the cockpit tank, the fumes migrated to the pilot light and flashed. Beverley did the smart thing and jumped off the boat. Tuck followed her. Fortunately, the gas tank did not explode. I jumped back, and after verifying that I was not actually on fire (if so, I was going to jump in the ocean), I grabbed a fire extinguisher which very quickly put out the flames. In the end, the only think that burned was me – first and second degree burns on one arm and both legs from the initial flash. There was a bit of soot on the end wall of the cockpit but this washed off easily.

The hospital in Stuart cleaned up and dressed my wounds. Thank you Medoc (Johnson) Health Insurance for efficiently covering the hospital costs. I never even saw the bills. When I returned home, they had already mailed forms to cover prescriptions without being asked. Health insurance is not cheap but DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!