Fire Claims Old 58' Motoryacht Off Miami

We are reminded once again that owners of older boats must be extra vigilant when it comes to their fuel and electrical systems. While diesel fuel is considered "safe" by many boaters, the fact is that a broken line spurting fuel on a hot turbo will cause a fire that can often quickly get out of control. Preventive maintenance, an automatic fire suppression system in the engine room, and air intake closures are indicated for all diesel-powered boats, and particularly older ones. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation.

No one was hurt last Friday afternoon as fire broke out on this old 58' motoryacht near Biscayne Bay. Three people were aboard when the fire broke out.

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A boat fire in Biscayne Bay has sent the US Coast Guard and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue scrambling.

Early Friday afternoon, the 58-foot motor yacht somehow caught fire. A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue boat would not arrive until just before 4 p.m. to tackle the fully-involved boat fire, two miles of east of Soldier Key.

The Gypsy Rose, out of Lighthouse Point, was carrying three people when the fire broke out. Some Good Samaritans reached the boat before Coast Guard and fire authorities arrived. Those Samaritans were able to help the three people onto their boat without incident.

Authorities are now speaking to everyone involved as a fire rescue boat works to fully extinguish the smoking boat and authorities investigate what ignited the fire.