Airlie Beach residents watched from balconies and beachfronts as a 42-foot yacht, which was anchored 200 metres offshore, erupted into flames on Friday evening.
Police received a call-out at 5.40pm and when they attended the scene shortly afterwards, they found the sole occupant, a 54-year-old New Zealand woman, had jumped into the water as flames engulfed the vessel.
Police scooped her out of the ocean and Queensland Ambulance Service took her to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition with serious burns to her legs.
At about 7pm, a large boom was heard ricocheting around the bay, with locals reporting it was felt as far afield as Jubilee Pocket.
It is understood this could have been a gas bottle onboard.
Whitsunday Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) were tasked by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) to transport auxiliary fire fighters to the scene at 7.35pm.
Rescue vessel, Coral Sea Marina Resort (VMR1) was deployed, and the teams attended with two portable pumps.
When they arrived, they identified a fully involved yacht fire and assessed whether to let the ocean extinguish the fire over time or use the hoses.
Due to smoke and swing of the vessel, it was decided to extinguish the fire, a job that took close to an hour.
By 9pm, VMR and QFES returned to the marina.
It is understood that the timber vessel was built by its 64-year-old owner who was watching the fire from the balcony of the Whitsunday Sailing Cub, powerless to do anything.
Police have arrested the woman on board and charged her with arson.
Earlier that day, in a separate incident, the man received minor injuries believed to be from the woman.
She has been denied police bail and charged with one count each of arson, assault and contravene a police protection notice (domestic violence), as well as two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm relating to earlier alleged incidents.
The woman appeared in court on September 12 and will remain in custody until her next appearance on October 10.
Maritime Safety Queensland have placed a marker buoy at the site of the vessel which still protrudes above sea level.
The 40-foot timber yacht up in flames on Friday evening
Parts of the vessel were still protruding above sea level on Sunday morning
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
