Another hull loss, Stuart FL

[Mike36c]

Saw it yesterday while out on the whaler, burnt to a crisp and doused with a fire hose yet she refuses to sink. Maybe someone here more crafty with the site controls can post a link. Tcpalm.com

 

[Artzco]

http://www.tcpalm.com/galleries/boat-fire-off-sewall-s-point-in-the-indian-river-lagoon-

 

[Boatsb]

Sad to see. Maybe he can salvage the portholes. Its an early 41 with the chrome on brass.

 

[capttonyf]

Poor guy, looks sad/upset. I hope that was just his boat, and not his home. Either way it sucks. The pictures mention he's a war vet, I hope he had insurance and is able to replace it.

Tony

 

[jim rosenthal]

Poor man. I wonder if she was all he had.

 

[Freeebird]

Bless his heart. It's times like these I wish I were a rich man. Hopefully he was insured, but I rather doubt it.

 

[Freeebird]

This is just heartbreaking! Makes me just want to hand him the keys to my 41 and thank him for his service.

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-mar...d-after-boat-catches-fire-near-sandsprit-park

 

[skater]

If someone local to his area could get the details and if in fact it was his home this could be addressed. There are enough forum members to help. It may be time to stand up and not look away but help.

 

[Freeebird]

If someone local to his area could get the details and if in fact it was his home this could be addressed. There are enough forum members to help. It may be time to stand up and not look away but help.

Agreed! I posted the story on The Hull Truth (lots of Florida guys) to see if anybody knows the guy.

 

[GCSI]

I'm in. I would like to suggest that "IF" this was his home and he is as represented, it would be easy enough to stay at the marina one weekend and donate (as a group) the money otherwise spent on fuel. Would think that we could Fund replacement boat in short order. Is anyone available near Stuart to do the legwork? Brett

 

[Freeebird]

I think I found the guy. Person by that name in Sebring, FL matches the description. Age 65, graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in 1974. I doubt he lived on the boat.

 

[capttonyf]

Thank God know one was injured, but I just feel so bad for the guy.

Tony

 

[Finalee]

I'm in.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Count me in as well.

 

[tom5518]

Heartbreaking to watch and I feel really bad for the guy. Unfortunately even if a fund is set up and enough donations come in, it is unlikely he will ever be out on the water again. Never, ever put a boat in the water without insurance. The property loss is only one part of it. The environmental clean-up costs likely will be way more than the value of the boat. Even if there was not much to clean up, just having the agencies responsible inspect the area will not be cheap. And, they don't work for free and they don't give up easily on collecting their money. That is, unless things are much different in Florida than Michigan.

 

[z28jimi]

If a donation program is established, my wife and I are in. Does anyone know how sites like Go Fund Me work? Would that work for something like this?

 

[Boatsb]

The EPA will appreciate it. If he does not even have liability he is screwed. The oil clean up will put him in the poor house.

 

[Freeebird]

The EPA will appreciate it. If he does not even have liability he is screwed. The oil clean up will put him in the poor house.

Hopefully it will be minimal cleanup since the boat didn't sink. I'm guessing that fire took care of most of the fuel/oil. I'll contact that television station and see if they can provide any info on efforts to help this guy out. As I understand it, Go Fund Me accounts are easy to set up, but hopefully someone has set up a bank account to accept donations. That would put 100% of donations into his pocket.

Looks like he has a Facebook page for those of you who use that. Again, I'm not sure this is the same guy, but if I were a betting man, I'd say that's him.

 

[Freeebird]

Got a reply from the reporter who covered the story...

Meghan McRoberts WPTV Hey randy! I've received numerous emails and messages from people wanting to help. I'm working on getting back in touch with Tony to see what would be best for him. I of course don't want to publicize everyone's gofundme accounts until we can square away one that is trust worthy and we can guarantee the funds will get to him. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear back from his family. Thanks so much for your desire to help him!

 

[rwappleton]

We are in too!