Bertram42

Loran is gone. I just put a Northstar 800X in the trash. Image how many of those high priced Northstar Lorans were made and sold

Hi Wiley, Just wondering why the photos are not visible. I know a lot of people have been brought to the site because of the excellent post you made on the burning of my boat. I think that this post has had more views than any other on reelboating.com. Great job.

Hi all, It has been a while since I last posted an update. The beat still goes on fourteen months after my boat was destroyed in the fire. It has been determined what the cause of the fire was and the blame for the fire has been placed. We have had four forensic surveys with some of South Florida's best experts pouring over the burned our remains of my 42 Bertram. Some of you know that my boat was in the final stages of a complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration. Everything was new or rebuilt/restored. A project that has taken a few years and a ton of money. I built a new 1985 42 Bertram. All work had been done by the best South Florida businesses and craftsmen. The battle between the two insurance companies and my self is working it's way to the Court House steps. Once everything is settled I will post in detail the cause of the fire and the mistakes that were made by the company and their employees that had control over my vessel at the time of the fire. Valuable lessons that need to be shared.

Interesting...Please explain with a little more detail.

Hi All, Sorry for the silence and not updating the form. The cause of the fire has been determined. A forensic survey was done a few weeks ago and tomorrow a follow up survey will take place, The survey consisted of quite a crowd. A fire and explosives expert was hired by my insurance company and the insurance company of the engine repair company and three marine surveyors. Tomorrow's survey will have engine experts. Unfortunately I have been advised by council to refrain from making comments and public statements at this time. I will say that the fire was caused by the situation of circumstances and would never have happened in a normal cruise situation. Once I get the green light to talk I will post a follow up. Lots of lessons have been learned and I will share the results with all. My thanks again to Wiley for the great photos and all the form members comments. Keeping this post active has been very helpful. Capt. Ed

Hi All, I just arrived in Florida tonight (01/12/10) and I will be on the boat or whats left of it tomorrow. I will try and get some photos and post them. No official word as to the cause yet. I have some ideas but it is to premature to voice them on a public form. Thanks for all the photos. The boat being towed away in the fog was very sad. The fog that you had is very common for us northern boaters. In the fall when the air is cold and the water is warm low hanging fog is created. Ed

I am the owner of the 42 Bertram that met her fiery death yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale. I want to thank Wiley for the photos and web cam insight on our personal disaster. I heard of the fire from the TowBoatUS operator who called me to tell me the news and she informed me of the web cam. Sad to watch your boat destroyed in Florida while working a boat show in Providence, RI. We have owned this boat for 20 years and have just completed a very major refit/update on the boat. This is a very sad loss for my family who have shared many great memories aboard the 42 Bertram "EXPOSURE" I also appreciate the thoughtful comments from the members of this board. This really is a much more intelligent and knowledgeable member base than the other boating board. I will be able to comment more on the cause and actions of the incident when I get to Florida next week. I am sure there are lessons to be learned by all. Thanks Capt. Ed