Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Boats dousing the burning boat with water
Airlie Beach’s boating community came together on Sunday when a vessel caught fire in Pioneer Bay, with nearby boaties helping bring the flames under control before fire crews arrived.
For Sarina residents Tali Pool and a friend, Sunday morning had been a chance to unwind at Coral Sea Resort during a mums’ weekend away, until a small puff of white smoke caught their attention offshore.
“We were at the coral sea resort having a lounge on the sandbar and we see a puff of white smoke come out randomly and we said "oh that looked like smoke just came out!" Tali said.
“Then we went back to relaxing then all of a sudden it burst into flames!”
“Everyone on shore stopped what they were doing and ran over to watch. Everyone was shocked and worried wondering if someone was on board.”
The 35-foot monohull was about 200 metres from Coral Sea Resort when the fire broke out.
The Queensland Fire Department report receiving the call at about 11.40am on Sunday 18th October, with initial reports placing the flames above deck on the vessel in Pioneer Bay.
Two firefighters travelled out to the vessel in a dinghy, fully extinguishing the fire by 12.10pm. No injuries were reported.
Before the firies had made it out, there was an exceptional response time from the nearby boaties, with several boats rushing over to assist.
“Within two minutes there were small boats gathered around and splashing water over the boat to try and put it out,” Tali said.
“I reckon they were so quick to respond, it was like it was a good tight community that was ready.
“We were just happy and impressed with how quickly strangers kicked into gear to get it sorted and help out.”
Tali and her mate left the bay for a while following the incident, only to return later to see visible damage above deck.
“[It was] very burnt on top, no more sail left,” she said of the scene that greeted her afterwards.
Police believe the cause was electrical and are not treating the incident as suspicious, with no one reported injured in the fire.
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