Marine Deputies Investigate Boat Explosion At Pinellas Marina

LARGO, FL — Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies assigned to the Marine Unit are investigating a boat explosion Sunday in unincorporated Largo.

The explosion occurred at 3:55 p.m. at the Indian Springs Marina, 15151 113th Ave. N.

According to deputies, 50-year-old David Weil has just filled his 2005 Four Winds 25-foot deck boat with an inboard engine with fuel at the Indian Springs Marina. During the process, some fuel overflowed and spilled.

Weil told deputies, after cleaning up the spill, he attempted to start the boat. He cranked it several times before it exploded.

Weil said the blast threw onto the dock. Weil’s daughter, 21-year-old Hope Weil, was standing near the bow when the explosion occurred. The force of the blast blew her into the water. Weil dove in and rescued her. She had some minor injuries to her legs and was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg as a precaution. Weil was not injured.

Weil’s wife, 49-year-old Gail Weil, was standing nearby on the seawall and a family friend, 25-year-old Ryan McMahon, was on the dock at the rear of the boat. Both were knocked down as a result of the blast, but neither received any injuries.

The explosion caused the fiberglass boat to catch fire. Indian Spring Marina staff attempted to put out the fire using fire extinguishers. However, the blaze was too intense.

Largo Fire Rescue responded and were able to extinguish the fire.

Deputies say approximately 100 gallons of fuel spilled into the Intercoastal Waterway as a result of the fire. Afterward, marina personnel were able to remove the boat from the water and bring it on shore.

The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.