Boat destroyed by fire in waters of Salt Spring Island

Boat destroyed by fire in waters of Salt Spring Island
Gary Hanney
A boat fully engulfed in flames in the Maracaibo area of Salt Spring Island Wednesday night.

Salt Spring Fire and the Canadian Coast Guard were sent to a boat fire, in the waters near Salt Spring Island Wednesday.

Fire officials confirmed no one was on board the vessel called “Eagle Mar”, a 70-foot wooden sailboat.

Witnesses say the fire broke out around 6 p.m. and the boat was determined to be anchored in Long Harbour, north of the BC Ferry terminal.

The coast guard was dispatched. They say one fuel tank floated clear of the vessel and was monitored until it was safe to retrieve. Once secured it was confirmed the tank did not contain any fuel.

They recovered two propane tanks and some burned debris from the shoreline. It is believed that any fuel onboard the vessel burned during the fire as no hydrocarbons have been observed in the water surrounding the vessel.

Gary Hanney took video of the fire and says there was no firefighting equipment available and fire crews could not be transported to the boat, which was totally destroyed.

The owner is now responsible for any further recovery efforts.

CHEK NewsCHEK News

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