Boats destroyed in Yacht Club fire

by Al Constable on 21 Mar 2003 Three motor cruisers have been destroyed and another damaged by fire at a major Brisbane Yacht Club marina over-night.

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Marina is floating marina, one of the largest in Queensland has 750 boats berthed in secure areas with locked gates on the marina arms.

Twenty four firefighters battled for four hours from 10pm. to contain the blaze at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Wynnum.

RQ General Manager Hayden Johns explained that the fire started on one motor cruiser at the furthest end of A/B arm, then was spread to others by several exploding gas cylinders.

He told Sail-World that the first Club members on the scene used the marina fire hoses to try and douse the flames. Then fire-fighters with their own appliance hoses and Water Police vessel water pumps were used to reduce the flames and to gain access to the burning vessels.

Club members relocated boats, under the direction of the Marina manager to stop the fires spreading further.

The Port of Brisbane authorities placed booms around the vessels after the fires were extinguished to prevent any pollution. However there was no sign of fuel spillages.

John’s commented that it was lucky there was no significant wind, otherwise damage could have been more extensive

The damage bill has been estimated at $1.4 million, with the cause yet to be established. Forensic specialists will inspect the boats when they are removed to a holding area.