Bad News about Bob & Annies on Pine Island, FL

[SecondWind]

For those of you who haul out at Bob and Annies boatyard, a local multihull facility, the following from Roger Strube, s/v Millenium Dragon:

A fire at Bob & Annis Boat Yard at the south end of Pine Island in St James, Florida claimed Bob & Annie's office and work shop. Also destroyed was "Cosmos", a Chris White designed Atlantic 40 owned by Paul Tumarkin. Paul had purchased Cosmos in Groton, CT several years ago. Paul, Tom Bragaw, Steve Chupak and I sailed the boat for 16 days from Groton to Charlotte Harbor. After Hurricane Charlie destroyed Paul's home in Punta Gorda he moved aboard the boat. Paul has been working on the boat in preparation for a several year sabbatical to Belize and other points south. He planned to leave for a shake down cruise to the Bahamas within several weeks. He had just retired from his law practice when the fire occurred. Paul was in Key West at his time share condo for Fantasy Fest when the fire occurred. I spoke to Bob Conovar and his son, Chris (owner of Bob & Annie's) and was told that the fire was arson. Burned gasoline trails ran through the property and fires were started in several locations. Cosmos was in the water next to the dock. What may have started as a small fire that might have been controlled if discovered and reported early enough turned into a major problem when the propane tank in Cosmos exploded. The attached pictures show Cosmos in Groton prior to the delivery and the pile of debris recovered from the canal after the fire destroyed the boat and marina workshop/offices.
There is a report that a security camera across the street recorded a car driving in and out of the parking lot at about 3:00 am, just prior to the explosion.

Roger & Kathy Strube
http://www.wingsailor.com
S/V Millennium Dragon