wpc691
Senior Member
What % of motorboats less than 65 feet have an auto fire suppression system, or even a port to spray suppressant thru the floor? If a not having either is a danger to other boats, then a very large number of boats should be uninsurable. Gasoline powered boats are the real fire risk...yet there is no insurance requirement for a hydrocarbon lockout to prevent explosion. I would be more worried about the gas powered express cruiser in the slip next to me not using his bilge blowers and not inspecting for leaks before startup than a diesel boat with engine running next to me. Boats equipped with propane are a real risk too..I know of no system that shuts down all power in the presence of volatile hydrocarbons in the bilge.yet insurance is still provided..My boat had its propane stove removed and replaced with electric.
Every Hatteras built (as far as I know) came standard with auto fire suppression, auto engine shutdown, manual release, shutdown override, and port for manual halon release. “Every Hatteras built” is a very small percentage of all boats under 65 ft, but I’m glad they thought it was worth having.