Boaters Rescued By Coast Guard Off Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet, FL - Three boaters are safe and dry after their 26-foot recreational fishing boat suffered a flash fire when they tried starting the engines about 20 miles east of Ponce Inlet. One passenger received burns.

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watch standers received a notification from the Catatonic at about 10:55 a.m., reporting the boat was disabled.

A Coast Guard Station Ponce Inlet 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew launched at 11:10 a.m., locating the disabled boat at anchor. The RB-M crew removed the three passengers from the boat and transported them to Station Ponce where EMS were waiting.

The vessel owner will arrange salvage.