Gutted fishing vessel sinks in inlet
PORT Douglas Police are investigating a marine fire that has left a fishing boat gutted in Dickson Inlet.
Marine Rescue Port Douglas ferried officers to the blaze after receiving a call for assistance by emergency services at about 4.30am on Sunday.
MRPD president Ross Wood said the fire aboard the vessel, Sonia M, was too advanced to contain.
“We took members of the Queensland Fire Service with us, but there was nothing we could do,” Mr Wood said.
“The vessel was in an advanced state of fire.”
Mr Wood said onlookers stated the boat was unoccupied at the time. “We assessed the moorings of the vessel and it didn’t seem to be at risk of drifting into other vessels,” he said.
“We stood to and monitored the vessel until Marine Safety Queensland representatives from Cairns arrived about 8.30am to contain any pollution; at around 9.15am the vessel sunk.”
A spokeswoman from Port Douglas Police said investigations were continuing although the fire did not appear to be suspicious.
“We believe the boat is owned by a local fisherman,” the spokeswoman said.
“Ironically it is really hard to fight fires on the water – the facilities are not there.” Watch the video online www.cairnspost.com.au
Wrecked boats in Dickson Inlet have caused concerns at Douglas Shire Council.
Last September Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu, the deputy chair of the War in Wrecks Taskforce, said derelict vessels threatened the route that boats need to travel down to reach safety during severe weather.
“The Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee is deeply concerned about this potentially dangerous situation,” she said. “There is a real risk that boats could be left with nowhere to go during a cyclone if these wrecks are not removed.
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