Blaze destroys houseboat at Nanny Cay

A raging fire consumed a 67-foot houseboat last Thursday as a salvage team rushed to move the vessel away from the Nanny Cay Marina. 

The boat Kelly Jayne was docked at the marina when smoke was reported coming from inside it around midday, said Kevin Rowlette, owner of Husky Salvage and Towing. 

Soon, the entire vessel was engulfed in flames, according to Mr. Rowlette, who said there was no one on board at the time.

Husky acted quickly, towing the boat from the marina out to the shallows across from Nanny Cay near Hannah Bay, where it was beached as a crew from the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service arrived, Mr. Rowlette said. 

He and his team, equipped with nozzle hoses and fire pumps of their own, worked with the firefighters to battle the flames, he said. 

The fire was extinguished in about half an hour, according to Mr. Rowlette, who said the boat’s owner was not on island at the time. 

A video of the incident that Husky posted online showed plumes of smoke billowing from the white-and-blue-striped vessel, which Mr. Rowlette said was totally destroyed. 

Investigation 

Mr. Rowlette did not know the cause of the blaze, but on Tuesday the government’s Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority announced that it had launched an investigation to probe the incident’s circumstances and contributing factors. 

“Two days before the fire, the vessel was occupied while docked and connected to shore power, with no apparent issues reported,” Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore said in an MSIRA press release. “Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire, and no one was on board at the time of the incident.” 

The vessel, owned by a St. Maarten resident, was a 67-foot aluminum ferry-type craft that had been converted into a house boat with “extensive wooden customisations” on the deck, according to the press release. 

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the vessel had been inactive for several months and was at Nanny Cay in preparation for sea trials at the time of the fire,” Mr. Padmore said. “There were no immediately visible issues with the shore power connection. However, the condition of the onboard batteries and other electrical equipment has not yet been verified. The presence of extensive wooden fittings and household furniture contributed to the extent of the fire damage.” Mr. Padmore commended Husky’s swift and “courageous” response, which he said reduced the risk of the fire spreading to other boats and marine infrastructure. 

Safety first 

The MSIRA is urging vessel owners and operators to take steps to prevent boat fires. 

Its recommendations include regularly checking electrical connections, keeping engine rooms clean, installing smoke and heat alarms, and ensuring fire extinguishers are accessible and in good working order. 

The agency also advises switching off non-essential power when docked for long periods and immediately reporting any signs of smoke, fire or electrical issues to marina staff or emergency services. 

Officials at the VI Fire and Rescue Service didn’t respond to requests for comment.