Yacht Fire at Roche Harbor
Posted July 11, 2013 at 6:03 am by Tim Dustrude
85 foot Ocean Alexander yacht burns at Roche Harbor marina – Kevin Holmes photo
Emergency Responders were dispatched to a $4.5 million 85-foot fiberglass yacht fire at Roche Harbor Marina on San Juan Island Wednesday at 10:14 a.m.
“The biggest challenge was that firefighters could not get to the seat of the fire,” said Fire Chief Steve Marler with San Juan Island Fire Rescue. Firefighters went onboard the boat to extinguish from the dockside, while the Fire Boat Confidence sprayed water on it from the water side. At times, firefighters and the fire boat had to retreat because of the heavy black smoke that filled the air. The Lime Kiln Café was closed and became a rehab center for the firefighters and a refuge from the smoke.
The Ocean Alexander yacht was on display and for sale in the marina.
There were no injuries and the fire was contained to the one boat.
Click here for more photos.
Chief Marler said at one point, they were going to tow the burning boat to the beach. But after a look at the tide chart, they decided against it because the tide was so low that the boat might have grounded before getting to shore.
San Juan Island Fire Rescue responded with 25 firefighters, 4 engines, heavy rescue and a fire boat.
Other agencies involved with the response included San Juan Island EMS, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the San Juan County Sheriff, Islands’ Oil Spill Association, Vessel Assist, Roche Harbor Marine and the Roche Harbor Marina staff.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown and will be investigated.
Vessel Assist and the Roche Harbor Marina staff moved other boats away from the fire. Roche Harbor Marine towed in booms to contain the fuel from the boat. Members of Islands’ Oil Spill Association continued working on the area in the afternoon to minimize the hazard.
San Juan Island EMS responded with 15 EMTS and 2 ambulances and provided rehab for firefighters as they fought the fire for several hours. The EMTs were also staged in case of any injuries.
Customs and Border Protection and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office provided scene security.
Chief Marler said the priority now is to minimize the environmental impact.
Kevin Holmes photo
Kevin Holmes photo
Kevin Holmes photo
You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.
Categories: Around Here
No comments yet. Be the first!
By submitting a comment you grant the San Juan Update a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate, irrelevant and contentious comments may not be published at an admin's discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.