A boat well ablaze in the middle of the River Medina is being tackled by fire crews on the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Friday).
The incident began at around 15:15 and has seen a boat catch fire in the middle of the river near the Folly Inn, far from dry land.
Smoke can be seen billowing into the sky and is visible from the nearby Whippingham Road.
At least 3 pumping appliances – 2 from Newport and 1 from East Cowes – have been mobilised to the scene. Firefighters have set up down by The Folly Inn whilst they work out how to tackle the hard-to-reach blaze.
Coastguard Rescue Teams have been tasked to assist the efforts.
Due to the remote nature of the fire, Cowes Harbour Master is having to take firefighters across on a boat to reach the vessel – which is now completely engulfed in flames.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus are extracting water from the river to extinguish the blaze.
UPDATE @ 16:10 – The blaze has been brought under control but firefighting efforts continue.
Another appliance from Ventnor is now on scene.
Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat is also now on scene providing safety cover – a rare visit to the River Medina for the East Wight lifeboat.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has said:
“Crews from Newport and East Cowes are currently on the scene of a boat fire near the Folly Inn, Folly Lane, East Cowes. One boat is well alight located on an offshore pontoon.
“The call came in just after 3pm and a Coastguard team are also on site to assist.
“It’s been confirmed that there’s nobody on the boat.”
UPDATE @ 19:47 – The boat – ‘Saby’ – has been destroyed, it has been confirmed.
Emergency teams have now stood down from the incident.
A notice to local mariners has been issued and floating protective booms put in place to help protect the environment.
The boat is expected to be lifted out of the water over the weekend.
Blast!, a boat blaze.
Billowing, a verb or an adjective, or both. Either way, it’s a word well used.
The blaze was nothing to do with me, I haven’t been in that area since August, and I had no source of ignition on me then.
Hopefully no one was hurt could see the smoke all the way down at island harbour
Its opposite Island Harbour
An impressively fast response from the harbour patrol team at Cowes harbour commission and local fire crews. Great job by all involved.
No further damage to other vessels and nobody injured
Maybe a good idea to have a boat moored up somewhere so it can go up or down river when needed. Like the one’s you see letting off water like a fountain on special occasions. Could be manned by retained firefighters or even volunteers. (Just a thought but probably not viable).
Absolutely, there are a lot of vessels in cowes harbour, paying ££££ to IOW council plus 4 marinas, paying rates. All adding to council coffers helping lower residents rates. Surely between the lot of them they should consider some sort of cover. Voluntarily or not.
Cowes harbour commission have fire pumps and boats. They were on scene within minutes as they patrol the river multiple times a day for security and safety.
Lack of maintenance again bloody yachting it’s alright though its insured , or possibly not!!!
Take it to sea and sink the bloody thing