DRAMATIC RESCUE OFF YORKEYS KNOB
A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby was among the seven people rescued in dramatic fashion after a large game fishing style boat burst into flames off Yorkeys Knob on Saturday evening. Passengers and crew were rescued by a passing vessel after 6pm. Onlookers could see the drama unfold 200m offshore as two explosions were heard after the vessel caught fire.
A ONE-YEAR-OLD child was among the seven people rescued in dramatic fashion after a large game fishing style boat burst into flames off Yorkeys Knob on Saturday evening.
Maritime Safety Queensland area manager John Downs said an incident report into the boat fire had been filed after passengers and crew were rescued by a passing vessel after 6pm on Saturday night.
Smithfield Fire Station station officer Mario Cocco was among the first emergency services personnel on scene at Yorkeys Knob.
“We could see the smoke from a distance and when we turned up the vessel was approximately 200m off shore and fully engulfed in flames,” Mr Cocco said.
“There wasn’t a lot we could do because it was so far out to sea.”
Mr Cocco said firefighters headed out to the boat in their motorised swiftwater rescue craft to see if there was anyone around the boat or in the water.
But by that stage, a passing vessel had already picked up the passengers.
All aboard are now safe and well, according to police.
Cairns photographer Connor Kerlin said he heard two explosions after the boat caught fire.
“We were sitting at a cafe and saw thick black smoke billowing into the sky,” Mr Kerlin said.
There have been conflicting reports on the make of the boat, including the possibility it was a Caribbean or a Bertram, but witnesses agree the vessel was about 40ft long and home berthed at Yorkeys Knob Marina.
Mr Downs said MSQ was investigating the incident.
MSQ on Saturday broadcast a radio alert to notify other mariners of floating debris in the water, while the glow of the fire as it burned to the boat’s waterline could be seen from the shore as the boat drifted southward.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Gulf Zone officer-in-charge Peter Graham thought a salvage contractor would be tasked to remove what’s left of the boat.
“I’m pretty sure they would want to shift it,” he said.
“They can end up anywhere, I imagine it’s grounded somewhere but that’s not to say another tide could lift it off and that’s why they would be pretty keen to move it before a tide change.
“Apparently it stayed afloat for hours, which is unusual.”
The VMR officer said he didn’t know where the fire broke out but with a boat 40ft long there were multiple possible ignition points.
“There was a one-year-old on board, they were lucky the boat got to them very quickly.”
A police spokesman said the fire was not suspicious.