Man forced to abandon his boat when it caught fire in waters off Kaua‘i
No injuries were reported after a man was forced to abandon his vessel after it caught fire 15 miles east-northeast of Nawiliwili Harbor.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i, the man was traveling to O‘ahu on his 35-foot fishing boat to sell the vessel. He was being followed by a friend when his boat caught fire.
Kaua‘i Fire Department and two vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i responded to the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. after receiving reports of black smoke coming from a vessel fire off the shore of Lydgate Beach Park.
According to the Coast Guard, when they arrived on scene the boat was completely burned. It is unknown at this time what caused the fire.
The U.S. Coast Guard is the leading responding agency with support from the Kaua‘i Fire Department.