Man injured in explosion on Sea Doo watercraft | News

NAPLES, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A Massachusetts man was injured Saturday afternoon when he attempted to start his personal watercraft at Long Lake Marina in Naples.

The Maine Warden Service says 31-year-old Karl Marchionda from Danvers, Mass. filled his Sea Doo with nearly ten gallons of fuel just before 5 p.m. Saturday.  When he attempted to start it, it exploded while he was seated on the machine.

Witnesses say Marchionda was launched 20 feet into the air and landed on a nearby dock face first.  He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and he was not burned during the incident. 

After initial investigation, the Warden Service says a lock ring securing fuel lines to the gas tank of the personal watercraft became loose and allowed fuel to enter the hull.  Investigators say the explosion was likely caused by gas fumes being ignited when the watercraft was started.  The incident remains under investigation.