Blaze ship survivor swims ashore after fire takes hold

A man was forced to swim to shore to escape his burning fishing boat after it went up in flames near Port Arthur.

Firefighters extinguishing a fishing boat towed to Kettering after it caught fire near Port Arthur. Picture: SUPPLIED

A MAN was forced to swim to shore to escape his burning fishing boat after it went up in flames near Port Arthur.

It is believed the fire started inside the cabin just before 8am on Thursday with the boater abandoning ship to get away and alert authorities.

Tasmanian tourism veteran Robert Pennicott, from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, received a call about 12.30pm to give the co-ordinates of the vessel and tow it out of the path of other craft.

He said it was still on fire when his staff arrived.

“It’s a write off, it’s basically burnt to the wall,” he said.

“There were flames coming out one of the engine hatches, there was a heap of heat and all the black paint on the outside is gone.

“I just hope the guy is OK.”

The fishing boat that caught fire near Port Arthur. Picture: ROBERT PENNICOTT

Two distinctive yellow Pennicott boats towed the ruined fishing vessel into Oyster Cove Marina at Kettering where it arrived about 7pm. It was greeted by about a dozen firefighters who worked to extinguish the blaze. Fire crews remained at the scene on Ferry Rd late on Thursday night with three tankers and a heavy pumper trying to put out the blaze.

Police also responded to the fire.

The Tasmania Fire Service said it was unclear how the fire started on the 12-metre vessel and an investigation would be conducted in the morning.