Four Jump Overboard To Escape Miami Luxury Boat Blaze
MIAMI --
A frantic Mayday call brought rescuers to the scene of large boat fire on Sunday afternoon.
Four passengers were aboard the vessel when the fire broke out about three miles off Elliot Key.
"We donned our life vests and bag and jumped in (the water)," said Joan Venaleck.
A passing boat pulled the passengers to safety. Sea Tow, a marine salvage company, was first on the scene and snapped several shots of the 56-foot luxury boat as smoke billowed into the air.
The vessel eventually sank in waters about 35 feet deep. Sea Tow has been working to pull the submerged boat from the water in hopes of towing it to shore.
"What I recommend to boaters is to ensure you're prepared because never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we'd be living through this," said Venaleck, who escaped without injury.
One of the passengers was slightly burned in the ordeal but was not taken to a hospital.
Investigators believe an electrical problem may be to blame for the fire, which might have started close to the boat's twin engines. The million-dollar vessel is considered a total loss.
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