March 05--HILLSBORO BEACH -- An explosion and fire aboard a yacht docked along the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway Tuesday sent the vessel's injured captain to the hospital, Hillsboro Beach Police Chief Thomas Nagy said.
"It was quite an explosion that blew a hole in the hull," Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King said.
The blaze that began around 1:30 p.m. was quickly extinguished by responders from Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, which serves Hillsboro Beach, and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, Nagy said.
The 32-year-old captain sustained burns and was first taken to Broward Health North by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said. The captain was then flown by BSO Air Rescue to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
The captain was working on the 2001, 65-foot Viking sport fisherman yacht and there was an explosion, Jachles said.
BSO Fire Rescue is investigating with assistance from the state fire marshal. The site was being monitored during the afternoon by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue's hazardous materials team, and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded, he said.
The yacht was docked near 945 Hillsboro Mile, Nagy said, a byway which is also State Road A1A.
For a time, BSO patrol cars did not allow vehicles to travel north over the Hillsboro inlet bridge, but traffic was allowed to cross by 2:45 p.m.
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