Desperate rescue after motorboat bursts into flames off Cornish coast

A search and rescue mission was launched to save four people stuck on a flaming boat in the middle of the sea.

The 60-foot vessel burst into flames 20 miles off the coast of the Isles of Scilly after its engine exploded at 5.30pm on Saturday night.

An RNLI lifeboat was launched and found the crew ready to evacuate, with a dinghy launched and grab bags packed just over an hour later.

The captain said the fire was out and asked for a tow to St Mary’s but the rescuers warned it was too risky.

He then started the vessel’s remaining engine, believing the blaze was linked to the other engine’s turbo.

Moments later, thick black smoke poured from the saloon.

An RNLI spokesperson based at St Mary’s said: ‘The lifeboat crew stated to him to proceed with extreme caution with going anywhere near the engine bays, to which he said he could start it in the wheelhouse.

‘The skipper had the intention that he could pass under escort by the lifeboat to an anchorage outside of any harbour.

‘The engine was started and almost immediately black smoke started to come out of the saloon doors, so the engine was stopped again and all 4 were told to abandon the vessel immediately.’

They added: ‘The coxswain put the lifeboat alongside and the 4 persons were extracted from the vessel with the lifeboat then getting clear.

‘After checking there were no injuries or smoke inhalation, the 4 persons were taken back to St Mary’s harbour and landed onto the quay into the care of some local friends of the rescued.’

An RNLI spokesperson told Metro: ‘St Marys RNLI station launched after being tasked by the Coastguard at 5.35pm to an incident off the coast of the Isle of Scilly which involved a motorboat on fire.

‘Four people were brought back to safety on the RNLI lifeboat.’