Runaway Diesel - August 17, 2013

Runaway Diesel

August 17 We fueled up at NEB in the morning and departed for Jay's mooring at noon. The Engine ran smooth at 2600 - 2800 rpms.  We picked up Jay’s mooring in Bristol RI at 12:45pm and went to shore for lunch and provisioning.

We returned to mooring and departed for Wickford about 3:45pm

I was at the Helm when the engine went into a runaway state at about 4:00pm.  I tried to shut down engine at helm but it  would not shut down.  I put it in neutral as Bob hurried below and turned off fuel supply to engine. At that point the engine stopped with black smoke billowing from exhaust. I was later told that I should have kept it in gear to keep a load on it.  But stuff was already coming off and I had no clue, this was a first. 

A small fishing boat saw smoke and came over to offer assistance and towed us back to Jay's  mooring.

James Pattison from Faraway Marine was on his sailboat when we called him and he sailed right up to our boat and inspected engine. 

He found diesel in crank case and recommend we get towed back to NEB for in depth analysis.  Since it was late in the afternoon, the towing service will pick us up tomorrow am. TIme for cocktails.