The dramatic fire on Alexei's fiberglass-reinforced plastic (GRP) sportfishing yacht in Morehead City, North Carolina, was a game-changing event that went from the first signs of smoke to a massive blaze in just 12 minutes. The incident, which completely destroyed the boat, was a major turning point in the career of Alexei, the enthusiastic yacht builder and owner of Bering Yachts.

In response to the loss of his yacht, which was exacerbated by the use of GRP, a material with a high fire risk, Alexei fundamentally rethought the choice of materials and approaches to safety in yacht building. He decided to make a radical switch to fire-resistant materials such as steel and aluminum, which not only offer greater resistance to fire, but also improve overall safety at sea.

The personal experience of this incident had a lasting impact on Bering Yachts' safety policies and building procedures. Alexei incorporated strict safety standards into the construction of his yachts to ensure that such incidents could be avoided in the future. This led to innovative developments in the construction of yachts where safety is paramount.

Through Alexei's commitment to improved fire safety measures, Bering Yachts is setting new standards in yacht building. Every yacht built by Bering is now an example of how an accident can be turned into an opportunity for improvement and innovation. Alexei's story underscores the importance of safety in yacht building and serves as a cautionary tale for the industry.