Near Miss On The MV Saifon
On the afternoon of May the 2nd, the MV Saifon was pulled out of the water for her annual up-slip, for her remake and refitting. Everything has been going to plan if not better. On the morning of May 17th, my alarm clock had already run though it’s three snoozes and I was laying in bed considering another hour or so since we had nothing pressing to attend to when my mobile phone rang. I laid in bed considering whether or not to answer it when I realized the call came from Captain Sombat.
He had called me uncharacteristically late the night before and told me he had had an idea for the boat and that I should come in the morning to discuss it with him. I choose to answer the call “Hey Bat” and immediately I got a screaming voice on the phone “Pi Chai (Big brother) come quickly!!! The boat is on fire!!!” and he hung up!
Click on the Picture to move to the next.
Needless to say I did not make a cup of coffee that morning. I got out the house and jumped on my bike and as soon as I turned the corner I could see a big cloud of black smoke in the distance. My heart sunk!! I arrived at the boat yard in record time and I was just heartbroken. I could not believe my eyes.
As I watched in disbelief the fire came from the living quarters (shacks) of the boat yard workers. Our bumper tires had been stacked between the boat and the shacks and as the heat coming from the shacks grew hotter the tires ignited and then the boat was threatened. As the tires incinerated the heat from them grew and grew and just as the firefighters started to roll out their hoses the side of the hull spontaneously ignited. Lucky that the boys in blue were close by.
The damage is certainly more than one would wish for but all in all we have been lucky not to loose the boat.
What an exciting life we lead!!
Winfried says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 4:14pm
Hi Robert, I guess you will have to get yourself a pair of really big fire extinguisher.
As soon as I recover from the operations (a pair of brand new hip joints)I will be back diving.
Take care
Winfried
Philip & JImbo says:
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:15am
Nice to see the boats still ok robbert,but me and jimbo left 2 pairs of slippers on the boat,any chance you could have a good look for them.My slippers where blue with white dots on them,jimbos where pink has you would expect with a scotish flag on.Please report back phil.
Neo says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 6:13pm
Hi Robert!
Next year, don’t forget to dry dock your boat far away from shacks and trees! When the workers start talking about your dry docking, survey the area first and reserve a spot for MV Saifon far from shacks, trees, and other potential fire hazards!
Gods Speed with the Recovery!
Jane Thomas says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 8:19pm
Hi Robert and Saifon
Mark has just sent me the pictures of the fire , how awful,I am so sorry and hope you are back in business as soon as possible I so enjoyed my day on MV Saifon last year with Mark and am looking forward to repeating it later on this year ,so fingers crossed ,and I look forward to seeing both of you,
Love Jane
Kevin says:
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:30pm
Not a great way to start the day,thank goodness it was not worse.. if it’s not one thing it;’s another… great to hear from you though!
Keep the communications coming!!
Yours Truly, KJ
Seafari Dive Center says:
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 9:57am
Sorry to hear that but hope “Saifon” back in the water soon..
Seafari Team
Jimbo says:
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:16pm
Sorry to here about the boat. Wish it a full recovery very soon.
Dan says:
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 6:53pm
Hi Robert!
So glad all will be OK and the damage is not so bad. Great job saving the ship!
Neo says:
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:46pm
MV Saifon in the news:
http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/27031/2-million-baht-fire-destroys-shipyard-in-north-pattaya/
Neo says:
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:56pm
… and more news and picx here:
Major Fire In Shipyard Destroy Shacks, Ships
http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2011/05/18/major-fire-in-shipyard-destroy-shacks-ships/
… and some video footage here:
http://pattayavideonews.com/2011/05/pattaya-one-video-news/2-million-baht-fire-destroys-shipyard-in-north-pattaya/
Oliver says:
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 7:26pm
Hello Saifon and Robert,
There I go for a couple of days to OZ-Land and you almost lost my most favourite boat !
No good to hear that there is only minor damaga to the boat.
I wish both of you the best and hope to come over rather sooner than later
oliver
Hannu says:
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 2:59am
Hi Robert! Bad luck sometimes goes hand by hand for now its time to rise to clory. Goog to here u r back in business, see u soon!!