Sailboat Explosion in Port Townsend Results in Hospitalization of Two Individuals and Rescue of Dog
A sailboat explosion in Glen Cove led to two individuals being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center with severe burn injuries.
News by Rachael Nutting
PORT TOWNSEND, WA — On February 15, a sailboat explosion in Glen Cove led to two individuals being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center with severe burn injuries. A dog was also rescued with minor injuries. Prompt intervention by a local marine rescue operator is credited with averting further tragedy.
Stone, an operator with Salish Rescue of Port Townsend, was at the Boat Haven fuel dock when he heard the explosion and responded immediately.
Upon arrival, Stone found the vessel in flames and the occupants suffering from burns. Due to the critical nature of their injuries, he evacuated them—each with burns covering over 20% of their bodies—along with their Rottweiler, Caesar, into his Zodiac rescue craft. He transported all three to the Boat Haven fuel dock, where East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) paramedics were prepared to provide care.
Stone contacted 911 while en route, notifying emergency dispatchers of the need for fire and medical response. Two burn victims were flown by two Airlift Northwest helicopters from Jefferson International Airport to Harborview Medical Center's Burn Unit.
Caesar, the family’s dog, sustained badly singed fur and no life-threatening injuries. He is currently under the care of Veronica, a veterinary assistant and Stone’s partner, who was present at the dock.
EJFR Marine 1 arrived on scene and extinguished the remaining fire. The Silver Shoals vessel was declared a total loss.
According to EJFR, the incident added significant strain on local emergency resources, resulting in the district operating at "status-zero"—with all 911 units deployed on different calls—for a period of time. Off-duty personnel and volunteers were recalled to staff fire stations and mutual aid partners were notified and placed on standby.
Stone speculated the cause of the explosion to be propane, as he knew they had installed a propane stove and that one of the owners ignited the stove, which caused the explosion. “This is why you don’t have propane on boats,” Stone explained to the Beacon, “Propane is heavier than air, so it collects in the bottom of a boat, and it can explode.”
Fire Chief of EJFR, Bret Black, expressed additional gratitude to the U.S. Navy's Firefighters on Indian Island, the U.S. Coast Guard, Port Townsend Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Port of Port Townsend, and Jeffcom Dispatchers.
