Boat Launch Idiots (BLI's)

Years ago, was were fishing near the old CJ Brown main boat ramp in July?, It was very warm, 10- 15 mph wind head on from the N as a local BASS club was launching to get a tournament underway. 2 dudes put a 14?` aluminum boat in, 1 takes the truck and trailer to park, 2nd guy ties it off and hops in, has some trouble getting it to start, it finally stays running.

This gent, chomping on a Winston Churchill stogie, proceeds to pick up a 5 gallon gas can and attempts to top off the boat`s fuel tank...is anyone already running for a fire extingusher?

In a matter of seconds, WHOOSH! He drops the uncapped can and smoking (literally!) jumps overboard, and proceeds to all but drown in 3-4` of water as the boat becomes a Viking funeral pyre.

It goes without saying everyone else either abandoned any thought of launching and quickly got clear, fished dude out, (he luckily wasn't seriously hurt) or bravely attempted to put the conflagration out.

Unfortunately, there was far more fuel than they had fire extinguishers, and finally had to just back off. To add to the irony, as the local volunteer fire dept pulled up, the burnt out wreck slid beneath the waves, out of embarrassment one would suppose.

Old boy was tended to, and when the wreck was pulled out, he was given a ticket for A Not having a fire extinguisher IN the boat, (it was in his truck!), B fueling on the water and C refueling with the motor running. Luckily, it happened along side the dock, and not out on the lake! Most safety rules are written after injury, blood, agony and regret! One to remember, for sure!

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