Tugboats pushed a burning fishing vessel away from its dock Monday morning to prevent the fire from spreading to other boats in a Fairhaven marina.
NBC 10's Larry Estepa reported that the fire broke out in the Amber Nicole at about 8 a.m. at the Fairhaven Shipyard and Marina . The fire started in the crew's quarters below deck as the 90-foot fishing boat sat wedged between other boats.
Officials said windy conditions gave them no other choice but to move the burning boat to prevent the fire from spreading.
"This time of the year there's a lot of boats still in port. This is a chockablock full harbor here with a lot of boats," harbormaster Gary Golas said.
Tugboats pushed the Amber Nicole across open water to the steamship dock, where the fire could be fought more safely and effectively.
No one was hurt.
The Amber Nicole was to set out on a fishing trip Saturday.
"They just finished a complete refurbishment of the boat. It could be electrical. It could be anything," said Brad Allua, the harbor maintenance chief.
Estepa reported that once the fire was out, crews started pumping out the water used to fight the flames for fear the Amber Nicole would sink from the extra weight.
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