PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard crews assisted local agencies in response to a boat fire at a marina in Carolina Beach, N.C., the night of July 21.
A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at approximately 8 p.m. of a boat fire at Joyner Marina.
The watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat - Small from Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
“When we got on scene, the boat was pretty much fully engulfed at the pilot house and the forward section of the boat,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Royal, the coxswain aboard the RB-S from Station Wrightsville Beach. “We noticed the firefighters were there getting ready and there was a large amount of recreational boating traffic close to the scene, so we aided by pushing the spectators back.”
After aiding in clearing the scene, the boat crew remained on scene to assist.
“The firefighters made their initial attack on the fire and pretty much beat it down,” said Royal. “Then while moored up, talking to them and providing a spot-light to help them see, we noticed the outriggers were no longer attached to the cleats securing them. We brought that to the attention of the on-scene crew because the outriggers were in a position to fall almost directly onto the firefighters. They stopped their attack at that point and secured the outriggers before continuing.”
Crews from Carolina Beach Fire Department fought the fire while a crew from Sunny Point Rescue assisted in illuminating the area.
