The problem with roofed-over boat storage areas lacking fire detection and suppression equipment is not unique to the Bohemia Bay Marina fire incident. According to Maryland fire authorities, there are several marina operations located in various parts of the state that pose an equal or greater threat than was experienced in this incident.
There have been several major marina fires in Maryland since the early 1980's, all of which resulted in large fire losses.:
Mears Point Marina, Kent Island, 1988, $500,000 loss
Great Oak Marina, Chestertown, 1988, $800,000 loss
Great Oak Marina, Chestertown, 1983, $1 million loss
McDaniels Marina, North East, 1980, $300,000
Several of the factors causing high losses were similar to the Bohemia Bay fire: delayed alarm, delayed detection, lack of built-in fire suppression equipment, and inadequate fire department access. Unfortunately, the codes that are in existence today will not have an impact on these existing facilities unless they are made retroactive.
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