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Sunk at dock but no leaks, no rain?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by SplashFl, May 21, 2023.

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  1. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Woke Up this AM with a call the neighbor's 28 Tiara was sitting on the bottom of our canal. By late afternoon she was again floating but obviously it will be a long long time with repairs. No leaks could be found so it's really strange. Not had any rain; she had all new batteries just a month ago and 3 bilge pumps on auto switches. The mechanic he brought over to help out suggested he install a high water alarm. Anyone have a specific one they would recommend ?

    Sunk 2.jpg
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Well you need two things for a boat to sink: water coming in and bilge pumps not kicking in.

    water coming on… leaks obviously or shore water left on and a fitting failing

    pumping failure? Well when is the last time the pumps and float switches were checked and what kind of float switches? I have stopped using rule switches a few years ago after way too many failures. They either fault to start the pump or fail to stop the pump… worst, I ve had a couple of them failing by sending low voltage to the pump, not enough to run it but enough to burn it up. I ve lost two 3700 that way. Now, the only switches I will use on my boats or the boats I run are ultra switches. 2 times the price but 300 times the peace of mind compared to the chicom or Mexican made rule

    as to high water alarm, it ain’t rocket science. A float switch connected to a light and a buzzer. And yes the Ultra Switch senior has two levels, one for bilge pump and a couple of inches higher for high water
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Little late for high water alarms now, ya think??

    Sounds like the always hot/on strap was not connected to the new batteries.
    Or something was left off.
    I would advise to get an attorney involved quickly.
  4. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I have a SIREN marine on my boat, and really like it. Notifications to my cell phone, and a significant discount on my insurance.
    https://sirenmarine.com
  5. C team

    C team Senior Member

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    I would think the insurance company would total the boat instead of making repairs.
  6. captainwjm

    captainwjm Senior member

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    Anti-siphon valve failure?
  7. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Impressive system, especially all of the wireless accessories.
  8. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Not for mine and maybe in his future. Boat was refloated, no source of the water found, and today they plan to start with getting the motors running. Neighbor has been in the boat business 40 plus years; buying fixing up, selling but this is one he kept for personal use and has spent a lot of time upgrading. I've never found him to be stumped on the cause for an issue but so far this is a first. Why would you advise an attorney? He has no insurance.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Is it possible the corner of the stern got caught on the dock as the tide was coming in and water just poured in the scuppers? If not connected to shorepower, batteries could've been brought down by bilge pump until it went dead.
    RT46 likes this.
  10. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    I learned it was plugged into 30 amp shore power and after speaking to the delivery captain of Ocean's 2nd 40 ft. spt. fish ages ago learned hull #1 sunk after being pinned under a concrete dock on the way to a Florida boat show, so we explored that and ruled it out.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So he is the Battery tech.
    Well, you can't sue yourself.
  12. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    The homes camera system failed to record that night; doesn't that figure. No leaks all last night. Current theory is the stern line from the far from dock cleat became loose enough at the high tide to get under and catch on the swim platform and as the tide dropped held one aft side up and the other down and water flooded into one scupper, ran into the bilge and to the bow where it overwhelmed the forward pump and then flooded the nearly new batteries, that had burn marks on their positive terminals. Evidently the "one way" rubber scupper flaps will not work underwater. Of course the above is all theory and he will probably never know for fact.
  13. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Has he restarted the engines?
    I'm assuming so?
  14. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Not quite the same in salt water as in fresh... If I'm not mistaken, they'll at least need to fill those engines with oil (likely diesel) a couple of times before turning them over.
  15. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Ah, yeah if fresh we'd fire those puppies after one flush and ASAP.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I think it would rip the corner of the swim platform off before it did that.
  17. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Within 24 hours the engines should be salvageable… empty the crank case, fill with diesel, crank, drain repeat a couple of times. Then repeat with oil.
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Rod bending time...
    Water does not compress.

    Turn with injectors out.
    The intake and exhaust flooded with water, these do not naturally drain.....

    What engines were in there?

    Two days later, if they were not quickly serviced, their toast.
  19. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes obviously pull the injectors or the glow plugs if equipped before