I am spending some time in Southern Florida and staying in a high rise building on the shores of Boca Raton lake. Large pleasure craft are plentiful in the lake (not many wooden ones unfortunately) and I am doing my fair share of boat-spotting from my balcony. Noticed a large (estimated over 45') fibreglass "game-fishing" boat that was having some sort of engine trouble yesterday afternoon because a powerful inflatable boat with amber warning lights flashing was in attendance. Checked back about an hour later and large boat was on fire !
Water police and a fire tender arrived in due course but despite all their attempts the boat continued to burn. Almost two hours later with the boat close to burnt to the waterline and light fading the boat fire seemed to be under control. Police and fire tender left about an hour later after securing the scene and I thought that was the end of it. Heard on the TV news that the boat had had a small fire on board just off Delray Beach earlier in the day and had subsequently been towed into the lake.
About two hours later in the darkness I saw a flick of flame and sure enough the fire on board had restarted ! But here's the thing - the wreckage burned unchecked for almost another 4 hours during squally rain showers !
I know the boat was diesel powered which provided most of the fire's fuel but is it normal for a boat fire to last this long ?