Video: Drama as emergency services put out boat fire
Firefighters working to extinguish a boat fire in the Napier marina used the Coastguard vessel to attack the flames from the water.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the Harbourmaster’s office and Regional Council pollution control officers attended the fire at the Ahuriri inner harbour about 2.20pm.
Firefighter Bruce Botherway said the boat was "well-involved in fire" when they arrived on scene.
"We used the Coastguard boat to allow us to get access to the sides of the vessel safely so we could continue our firefighting operations."
Botherway said access both to the boat, and to water made extinguishing the fire difficult.
"Access and water were difficult. The boat was behind a locked gate and a member of the public was parked on a fire hydrant. So we made access to the vehicle and moved the vehicle."
Despite the difficulty, Botherway says they were able to get the fire "reasonably controlled" within about 15 minutes.
He said it was a good reminder for people to ensure they don't park on fire hydrants.
Video/ Coastguard Hawke's Bay
Coastguard Hawke's Bay Skipper Henry van Tuel said they first noticed "really black smoke" over Westshore on their way back from towing another boat.
"As we entered the Inner Harbour channel towing a boat that had broken down we saw a huge column of black smoke. A boat had caught fire on Pier One.
"Although FENZ had great access via the pier they wanted to have access to the front of the boat, however, it was too dangerous to get on the boat, so they requested Coastguard assistance. Because they were just tackling hot spots it was safe for us to approach on the 'up wind side'. The fireman was then able to tackle the hot spots more easily.
"Unfortunately, with the amount of water required to put out the fire and holes burnt through the hull it was only a matter of time before it sank."
They also assisted the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Pollution Response team in placing oil booms around the boat. The Dive Hard team will lift the boat so that it can be removed from the water.
Photo/Clive Holland.
Witness Clive Holland was on Napier Hill when the incident unfolded.
"Without warning, I could see a fierce fire burning. I had my camera handy.
"It was eerily quiet, no one around that I could see and no one taking any notice. After some minutes the fire brigade sirens could be heard."
