‘Debris was found several feet away from where the boat exploded’
A worker is dead after a boat exploded at a marine yard in Trois‑Rivières, Que., in an incident now under investigation by local police and Quebec’s workplace health and safety board, CNESST.
The blast occurred Monday morning at the MVC Océan site on Thibeau Boulevard, where the boat was parked outside in the company’s yard.
Paramedics were called to the site following reports of an explosion and fire, CBC reported, citing Maxime Lavallée from the ambulance service in Trois‑Rivières.
He said emergency crews had to wait until the fire was brought under control before they could access the scene, where the worker was pronounced dead.
“The scene is quite telling, in that debris was found several feet away from where the boat exploded,” said police spokesperson Isabelle Blanchette, according to the CBC report.
According to Blanchette, some debris landed on Thibeau Boulevard, prompting authorities to close the road for about 30 minutes. No other injuries were reported.
Blanchette said it is standard practice for police to be involved “to rule out the possibility of negligence or criminal activity,” according to the report.
MVC Océan is a business specialising in maritime, submarine and riverine works. It has been at work in its field in Québec since its founding in 1970.
What can cause a boat explosion?
One possible source of a boat explosion is fuel.
According to WorkSafeBC, fuelling boats with gasoline can create a risk of explosion, “leading to loss of life, injury, and significant property and environmental damage.”
“An explosion requires four elements: fuel, ignition source, oxygen, and containment. All four elements can be present when refuelling boats,” the government agency said.
“Gasoline evaporates into a flammable vapour that’s denser than air. This vapour can accumulate in hatches, bilges, the engine compartment, and cabins near the boat’s fuelling area. If the boat is not properly ventilated to remove this flammable vapour, it can mix with air, and may reach a ratio that will result in an explosion if it contacts a nearby ignition source.
“Proximity to other fuel sources such as the fuelling dock and other boats may result in the fire spreading and additional explosions. With increased activity on the water during warmer weather, as well as greater demand on fuelling docks, the potential for explosions also increases.”
