How My Sailboat Caught Fire and Sank

On October 31, 2021, Brock's Boat, Silver Star, caught fire and eventually sunk in Luperon, Dominican Republic. We sat down with Brock to talk about what happened, what went wrong, what he would have done differently, and where he is now.

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[samiamgreeneggsandham]

Brock is a big man for giving a straight account from which others can learn.

[jhsrecordsentertainment]

1) You're alive.
2) your honesty and accountability is very important for others.
3) so happy you got another boat and did not just give up.

I can't donate cash..but if you ever need a hand or help I would be honored.
Safe travels and may winds always be in your favor.

[frank]

The important thing is Brock is safe and alive. Thank God it didnt happen out in open seas. Good learning piece. Thanks Emily for a great interview.

[Sailspirit]

One of my first purchases for my yacht was, along with a smoke detector, a FIRE BLANKET. Also did a sea safety course which included how to use one. Should be mandatory.

[cascadesouthernmodeltrains]

One of the things we were first taught in Navy boot camp: Every sailor is a firefighter first. During boot we spent 2 weeks in firefighting training, and spent many many hours per week after boot drilling for potential fires as well. We actually only spent about 3 days on ship handling, if that is any indication of how important fire safety and fighting is. I was lucky during my time I never personally had to fight a fire onboard ship. My ships did have an occasional actual fire but thankfully no lives were lost and the damage was minor. But to this day the training is still with me, and I have had to on more than one occasion extinguish a fire that happened due to fireworks, a bbq that wasn’t cared for and things like that.

When we are onboard my little Water Lilly I work with my kids on firefighting and escape. We do drills, and sometimes we do not get the fire out and have to abandon ship. I don’t make them jump into the water, but they don their life jackets and get to a place where they can get off the boat. My kids are getting much better and they don’t panic. Lizard brains isn’t always a good thing, but knowing the difference between a fight you can win, and getting off alive is by far the most important lesson in any drill.

[jeffgriglack]

Good information. It sounds like, if the source of the fire was actually that lithium powered device he put in the cubby, that the fire would have started no matter where he put it. You never really know how you are going to act in an emergency until you are faced with that emergency, and the fog of sleep doesn't help either. I am also going to check the CO/smoke detector on my boat and probably just replace it because it is old.

[DDouble]

Great interview! Very courages of Brock to admit he did "everything wrong" and explain what really happened - would have been so easy to explain like politicians do: "not our fault!". That way everybody can learn from his experience. So yeah like he said: try to imagine any situation on any place of the boat where fire can challenge you... better not only do MOB simulations! And lmao when Emily sais "nothing to bring from your old boat to the new one"... Anyways, like most other people commented: he is safe! Imagine he would not woke up???

[lyfandeth]

Polyester upholstery foam produces toxic gasses when it burns, so getting out might be a better idea than you think.
After replacing too many swollen lithium battery packs, I now let most of that stuff recharge in a cast iron dutch oven, with the cover on. Might not stop a lithium fire but certainly will slow it down.

[projecttrawler]

Wow thanks for getting us the whole story! Nobody got hurt and looks like his new boat is beautiful! Great interview Emily! Gotta love the boating community

[johncampbell]

Brock (and Emily), Thanks so much for sharing your story. Knowing the details really helps everyone reassess their safety protocols.

[aday]

You are truly blessed. First off, you are alive. Then you woke up and were able to exit. Then this happened in harbor not out at sea. And finally, you were given a reprieve via another boat. The loss of the craft was of course not pleasant, but it could have ended so much worse. I've often wondered about the proliferation of lithium power in so many devices and thought that as the useful lifespan of these batteries arrived, just how much of this type issue would occur. I realize the up side is so great with them. Myself I have a metal locker to keep mine in. A large tool box or tool tote made of metal, like a gang-box used on construction jobs is appropriate. All lithium devices should be stored inside a metal container when not in use. Ever see how these batteries react when they go off? Even metal containment isn't 100% but does give the user more time to react. Hopefully all who read this will heed. It's easier to flip open a latch and lift a lid to remove your devices then to have such an experience as this poor chap. It would be good exercise to survey your area and determine how much lithium battery you have. You might not realize that some of the devices you possess contain this stuff. Take a good look at laptop batteries, phone batteries, flashlights and so many other devices even if you don't suspect there to be a source.

[roadboat]

Wow, thanks for the story. I have had and extensively cruised 5 Cruising boats. My last one that I sold ( I had downsized), recently was a………..Tartan 37! That was a great boat. S&S know how to design a boat. Very well behaved on all points of sail and shoal draft to boot! So sorry for your loss. I had a total loss in Hurricane Andrew, a Cat 5 that hit Miami back in 1992. An totally tricked out and equipped Alberg 35. With insurance and a little more we bought a Kelly Peterson 44 Center Cockpit cutter. Oh well, you have to keep it in perspective. A boat is a chunk of fiberglass. No one hurt. Great. It can be replaced.

[PeterAcrat]

10:43 Brock's best guess what caused the fire.
IMO: ⚠️Wherever possible; Always ensure any lithium cells you 'acquire' are made by genuine top brand manufacturers.
👉 Major brand are LG, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic. You rarely get a second chance on a boat. Buy with safety in mind.

[rolldogg]

Brock I live in Vero Nice to hear about my town!!! Sorry to hear about your

[kevingardner]

Hey guys have just found your channel - for Brock, I'm glad you made it out OK and you are still on the water, for Emily, you are a great interviewer and thanks to both of you for such an honest and informative chat - K :)

[stephengarcille]

Honest video. Great to see humility. Glad you got out ok. You are clearly a very intelligent person and will be even better after this experience. Good luck!!

[Paul-ourx]

I am having the strangest feeling about how much I admire this guy. Even without the second boat. I wish I had it in me to do something like this.

[akathesquid]

Thank you for this interview and public service announcement. Very valuable. And I must say 1970s T37 to a 1986 Valiant 40 is a rather nice upside to an otherwise bad experience!

[sailsandtails]

Wow, thank you for sharing. We need to rethink some stuff on our boat.

[murphmurph]

Thank for sharing this it gives me another million things to think about, this will be very helpful for my safety