FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. -- A distress signal alerted the Coast Guard and Navy to a fire onboard a local fishing charter Monday evening.

The captain of the "Heavy Hitter", a 40-foot fishing boat, put that call out after a problem with the engine sparked the small fire, according to the Coast Guard. Even though he was able to extinguish the fire, the captain told rescuers he wanted to be sure the fire was completely out.

A Coast Guard vessel brought five passengers back to shore, while the others boarded a Navy ship to wait their turn.

Another fishing charter, the Amelia-Island based Ye Ole Pirate, will bring back the other two passengers, the ship's captain, and crewmember, as well as the damaged ship some time later tonight.

No one onboard was injured, and they'll be returning to the Fernandina Harbor Marina, the place they set sail from early this morning.

There's no word yet on what cause the fire to spark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Coast News