LAKE BARKLEY, Ky. (WPSD)— The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating a boat explosion that injured two people.
Investigators are still searching for answers as to why the boat exploded on Lake Barkley over the weekend. Investigators say the two people on the boat sustained moderate injuries, but they are expected to be OK.
Investigators say the explosion happened when the owner tried to start the boat after refueling.
The explosion has other boaters in the area using extra caution, but the incident is not stopping them from hitting the lake.
“There’s danger in every sport,” longtime boater Mark Zabawa told WPSD.
Zabawa does say he’s being more careful because of it.
“This has happened before, and every time it does happen it reminds me not to get complacent with boating,” Zabawa says.
Experts are reminding boaters of a couple of things to think about when refueling their boats. The first is the smell test. If you smell any kind of fumes, do not start your boat’s engine. The second thing to remember is to ventilate the engine compartment, so vapors can’t build up.
“Anything can happen, and you got to rule it out before you put yourself in danger,” vessel emergency personnel member Norman Frazier says.
