Boat Fire
Donation protected
In 2016, Billy Bolander, Jim Robinson, Dr. Will Blodgett and myself discussed an idea in Jim's basement in Troy, Ohio. They idea became a reality when we formed the Galleon Research Group, LLC. The company would be dedicated to maritime research, underwater archaeology, Scuba diving and shipwreck exploration.
We added a few new members to the group who shared the same passion for research and exploration and on March 28, 2018, the company purchased a 1969 Uniflite cabin cruiser named the Conquistador. The 36-foot vessel was powered by twin 454's. The boat was in poor condition and needed a lot of work and TLC but it was a dream come true for all of us. We had great plans to use it as a dive boat to explore and document historic shipwreck sites off the coast of Florida and elsewhere.
Two years later, after having both engines rebuilt, new fuel tanks installed, new electronics, new fuel injectors, new lines, assorted dive equipment, etc. etc. the Conqistador was finally ready to go back to sea. This was the grand moment we had all been waiting for. All our hard work and the money spent over the past two years was about to payoff as our dream became a reality.
The Conquistador was ship shape and ready and we were going to go diving. I had travelled to FL, so my wife could spend some time with her dad who had some health issues. Will Blodgett planned to drive down from PA. Doug would come down from IL. The rest of the crew was ready, including Mike, Justin and Chad. Jim from Ohio and Billy from AZ, couldn't make the trip this time around, but stood eagerly awaiting the good news. The weather looked like it was going to cooperate and we planned to go diving on Friday.
Then in a cruel twist of fate in an instant our dream turned into a nightmare. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10th, I received an urgent phone call that the boat was on fire. By the time I got to Fort Pierce it was too late. The Conquistador had been completely destroyed.
We know the fire started sometime between 2:32 PM and 3:05 PM. The fire was deemed suspicious. The boat was not hooked up to shore power and had not yet been run. Several witnesses reported seeing two individuals down by the boat. They left together and approximately five minutes later the boat was on fire. I cannot elaborate further other than to say it is an ongoing investigation .
Should the fire investigator determine that it is in fact arson, we intend to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any persons involved.
The main thing is nobody at the marina got hurt. For that I am extremently grateful. A boat can always be replaced, people can't. It could have been so much worse. I suppose having endured the unexpected death of my 7-month old daughter Madison in October 2018, everything else just sort of pales in comparison and material things are just not worth getting too worked up over. Still, this has been a real gut punch and has left me with a great sense of sadness, not only for myself, but my good friends who had put their hearts and souls into this boat, all of whom were so looking forward to using the Conquistador for many years to come. Although we were going to use it to search for treasure, I have always said the true treasures are the friendships you build along the way and the adventures you share together. I am truly heartbroken over this incident.
I looked forward to diving with my friends. The ones who believed in me and believed in my dream. The friendships I have shared with some for over 30 years and the ones that were still to come. I looked forward to building memories on the seas with my children. These memories would be ones that would last a lifetime. Those are the true lasting treasures. Now it is all gone in the blink of an eye and I just feel like I let everyone down and all I feel is disappointment.
Since Towboat US considers a boat fire a "salvage" we incurred expenses we had not anticipated. $7,200+ just to tow the boat a hundred yards so it could be pulled out. Up until this time we had all just pitched taking turns paying dockage and each of us covering our fair share related to numerous expenses involved in getting the boat ready. We had actually planned to lease the boat to another group starting June 15th, to generate some much needed funds. Then this happened. This was an unexpected expense we never saw coming. There are other related expenses as well.
A friend suggested we start a Go Fund me campaign to help cover some of these emergency expenses that were incurred and also generate some $$$ to use as reward fund to bring the person or persons responsible to justice.
Any financial contribution no matter how big or small wouold be greatly appreciated.
Thank You for your time and consideration!
https://cbs12.com/news/local/boats-ravaged-by-fire-at-marina-in-fort-pierce?fbclid=IwAR34exJbY72nTDSKuBJ48_KwtdW-ZIUl8htRcHjp4X4B1pCKbrxNhUGhe4I
We added a few new members to the group who shared the same passion for research and exploration and on March 28, 2018, the company purchased a 1969 Uniflite cabin cruiser named the Conquistador. The 36-foot vessel was powered by twin 454's. The boat was in poor condition and needed a lot of work and TLC but it was a dream come true for all of us. We had great plans to use it as a dive boat to explore and document historic shipwreck sites off the coast of Florida and elsewhere.
Two years later, after having both engines rebuilt, new fuel tanks installed, new electronics, new fuel injectors, new lines, assorted dive equipment, etc. etc. the Conqistador was finally ready to go back to sea. This was the grand moment we had all been waiting for. All our hard work and the money spent over the past two years was about to payoff as our dream became a reality.
The Conquistador was ship shape and ready and we were going to go diving. I had travelled to FL, so my wife could spend some time with her dad who had some health issues. Will Blodgett planned to drive down from PA. Doug would come down from IL. The rest of the crew was ready, including Mike, Justin and Chad. Jim from Ohio and Billy from AZ, couldn't make the trip this time around, but stood eagerly awaiting the good news. The weather looked like it was going to cooperate and we planned to go diving on Friday.
Then in a cruel twist of fate in an instant our dream turned into a nightmare. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10th, I received an urgent phone call that the boat was on fire. By the time I got to Fort Pierce it was too late. The Conquistador had been completely destroyed.
We know the fire started sometime between 2:32 PM and 3:05 PM. The fire was deemed suspicious. The boat was not hooked up to shore power and had not yet been run. Several witnesses reported seeing two individuals down by the boat. They left together and approximately five minutes later the boat was on fire. I cannot elaborate further other than to say it is an ongoing investigation .
Should the fire investigator determine that it is in fact arson, we intend to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any persons involved.
The main thing is nobody at the marina got hurt. For that I am extremently grateful. A boat can always be replaced, people can't. It could have been so much worse. I suppose having endured the unexpected death of my 7-month old daughter Madison in October 2018, everything else just sort of pales in comparison and material things are just not worth getting too worked up over. Still, this has been a real gut punch and has left me with a great sense of sadness, not only for myself, but my good friends who had put their hearts and souls into this boat, all of whom were so looking forward to using the Conquistador for many years to come. Although we were going to use it to search for treasure, I have always said the true treasures are the friendships you build along the way and the adventures you share together. I am truly heartbroken over this incident.
I looked forward to diving with my friends. The ones who believed in me and believed in my dream. The friendships I have shared with some for over 30 years and the ones that were still to come. I looked forward to building memories on the seas with my children. These memories would be ones that would last a lifetime. Those are the true lasting treasures. Now it is all gone in the blink of an eye and I just feel like I let everyone down and all I feel is disappointment.
Since Towboat US considers a boat fire a "salvage" we incurred expenses we had not anticipated. $7,200+ just to tow the boat a hundred yards so it could be pulled out. Up until this time we had all just pitched taking turns paying dockage and each of us covering our fair share related to numerous expenses involved in getting the boat ready. We had actually planned to lease the boat to another group starting June 15th, to generate some much needed funds. Then this happened. This was an unexpected expense we never saw coming. There are other related expenses as well.
A friend suggested we start a Go Fund me campaign to help cover some of these emergency expenses that were incurred and also generate some $$$ to use as reward fund to bring the person or persons responsible to justice.
Any financial contribution no matter how big or small wouold be greatly appreciated.
Thank You for your time and consideration!
https://cbs12.com/news/local/boats-ravaged-by-fire-at-marina-in-fort-pierce?fbclid=IwAR34exJbY72nTDSKuBJ48_KwtdW-ZIUl8htRcHjp4X4B1pCKbrxNhUGhe4I
Organizer
Robert Westrick
Organizer
New Iberia, LA