Personnel inspect the damage aboard La Rata Bastarda in the Platypus Marine yard on Tuesday.  -- Photo by Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News

Personnel inspect the damage aboard La Rata Bastarda in the Platypus Marine yard on Tuesday. -- Photo by Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News

Boat fire investigation continues; couple fear ‘total loss’ of their onboard home

PORT ANGELES — An investigation continued Tuesday into the cause of a Monday afternoon boat fire that dispatched thick, stinky smoke over Marine Drive and the industrial waterfront.

No one was injured in the blaze aboard the 73-foot Seattle-flagged yacht La Rata Bastarda, a steel-hulled, converted fishing boat.

“There’s no indication anything is suspicious, none whatsoever,” Fire Chief Ken Dubuc said, adding it appears the fire started while workers were welding and grinding the vessel’s interior.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

When the fire broke out, the boat was being worked on at Platypus Marine Inc., 102 N. Cedar St.

Platypus Marine was repairing the vessel’s hull after it was damaged while the vessel was being lifted by a crane off or onto a transport ship, company Senior Project Manager Darrin Schmitt said.

It was taken to Platypus and blocked off the ground in front of the company’s Commander Building.

Platypus is conducting an investigation into the blaze with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Schmitt said

“At this point, we do not have a known cause for the fire,” he said.

“It’s undetermined at this point. It certainly wasn’t on purpose.”

Kerri and Doug Randles of Eatonville own the boat.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a total loss,” Kerri Randles said late Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s been a lot of places, for sure.”

The couple have lived on La Rata Bastarda for the past five years, she said.

“It’s been our home. It’s a huge loss.

“We think it’s worth at least $350,000, just from what we have into it, but the insurance company could say something totally different.”

Smoke was billowing from the boat by 1 p.m. Monday, when fire crews arrived at Platypus, which repairs yachts and commercial boats and builds steel boats.

Platypus’ facilities were evacuated early Monday afternoon, Schmitt said.

The company’s 60 employees returned to work at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Schmitt said.

Schmitt said two or three employees were working on the boat when the fire broke out.

Dubuc said they were welding and grinding in the forward portion of the boat.

“It’s not uncommon to have heat transfers from metal to various locations,” Dubuc said.

Flames were visible from the cabin at the starboard bow.

City firefighters were joined by units from Clallam County Fire Districts Nos. 2, 3 and 4 in extinguishing the blaze from outside the vessel.

Two Platypus employees then staffed a round-the-clock fire watch.

People were allowed back on the vessel at about 11:45 a.m. Tuesday after its safety was certified by a Seattle marine chemist, Schmitt said.

________

Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.
New Dungeness Nursery planted in landscaping industry

Family and their employees work 2-acre location in Sequim

Partnership discussion may violate state law

OMC in Phase 2 of exploratory process

Members of the public take a guided tour at Port Townsend High School on Wednesday. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend school district may seek $90M bond

Tour highlights high school’s infrastructure needs

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading