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Coast guard vessel explodes, damage substantial

Nov 04, 2010 News

A Coast guard vessel ‘Hymarali’ exploded at Ruimveldt, yesterday, totaling the engines and leaving substantial damage estimated at some $10 million. The vessel had been repaired and put back into service a week ago.
Kaieteur News understands that the vessel, the “Hymarali”, was moored at the Coast Guard Headquarters when somehow a spark ignited and led to the explosion.
No one was reportedly injured. Workers were seen bailing another vessel that was swamped with water but it was unclear whether this had to do with the explosion.
The area where the engines are located was badly burned and one staffer has said that the two 85-horsepower engines are beyond repairs.
The explosion occurred shortly before 18:00 hours while a mechanic instructor was attempting to clean the bilge. He was pumping water out when he noticed fuel surfacing from the area he was cleaning.
Out of precaution, he decided to disconnect the battery leads. A source said that whenever there is routine maintenance all electrical leads are disconnected. It was during this process that there was a spark and the explosion. The mechanic was forced to dive overboard.
A source said that what averted disaster was the presence of the GDFS Essequibo which, on the hour, has its firefighting crew, conduct fire drills while the vessel is in port. The firefighting team was pushed into service and managed to save the fibre glass boat from total destruction.
However, the entire bilge area including the section between the engines and the wheel was destroyed.  All the batteries were also destroyed.
Coast Guard officials were on the site but declined to comment. In fact, they chased reporters who had raced to the scene of the explosion.

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