The holiday had started very well. First I attended the South Coast rally at Eling Creek then headed west and Thursday morning found me in Weymouth. The forecast "NW backing SW 4-5" seemed excellent for the run back home. I filled the kettle to have a cup of tea and make a flask, got the stove out of the stern tank and struck a match. There was a blinding flash and whoosh - pain stabbed my hands and I leapt out onto the pontoon.

What I believe occurred is that I had a slow leak in either the gas stove or the spare bottle which filled the stern tank with gas. When the tank was opened the gas could flow down into the bilges: I struck a match and the rest is, as they say, history.

I was very lucky; all that happened to my face was the loss of eyebrows and lashes. The boat was unharmed and I was able to step ashore from the pontoon where I had moored and the local casualty department was within walking distance. My hands will not be permanently scarred. If this were to happen again I might not be so fortunate. It might be you - think about it.