POOLE lifeboat crews were called to a boat engulfed in flames at Parkstone Yacht Club on Monday night.
As reported, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service received more than 40 emergency calls about the fire shortly after 8.30pm.
Picture by Helen Hunter
A spokesperson said the intention was to left the fire burn out and crews would remain overnight.
And Poole RNLI attended to provide safety cover.
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A spokesperson said: “Both Poole lifeboats were immediately launched by UK Coastguard just after 8.30pm to a report of a boat on fire.
“Poole lifeboat volunteers were tasked to attend a boat on fire at Parkstone Yacht Club. When the lifeboats arrived on scene, the vessel, a 10 meters catamaran yacht was well alight.
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“The lifeboat crew liaised with DWFireRescue to ascertain that there had been no people onboard, which thankfully there hadn’t.
“The lifeboats were asked to provide safety cover and maintain a minimum of 50 meters exclusion zone, a lot of people had gathered, on land and on water, to get a closer look.
"The billowing acrid black smoke, could be seen for miles.
“The vessel had been on a mooring when it had gone up in flames, a quick-thinking bystander ‘let it go’ so it would drift towards the breakwater to settle on the mud and away from other vessels.
“The lifeboats stood by as the vessel was burning down, meanwhile, provision was being made by the Deputy Harbour Master, to contain any pollution.
“Poole Coastguard Rescue Team and Southbourne Coastguards were also standing by and provided the safety cover, shoreside.
“As there was no life in danger and the fire was contained, the lifeboat crews were stood down, with thanks and returned to station.”
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A spokesperson for Southbourne Coastguard said: "Tasked at 8.43pm by the joint rescue coordination centre to reports of a vessel (a circa 36 ft catamaran) on fire at Parkstone Yacht Club.
Picture by Carolyn Reece
"Once on scene we ensured the area remained safe as the vessel continued to burn itself out as it was in a position with no immediate threat to life or other vessels.
"Poole Coastguard Rescue Team and RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station were also on scene along with DWFireRescue, plus the harbour authority.
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"The harbour authority were planning on securing a boom around the vessel to capture any possible pollution. DWFireRescue remained on scene until the fire on the vessel had burnt out."
A spokesperson for DW Fire said: "Crews from Westbourne, Poole, and two Land Rover pumps from Ferndown and Poole were called to a boat fire at Parkstone Bay at 8.26pm yesterday evening.
"Our crews found a 20ft catamaran fully involved in fire on arrival, but as it was out of reach for our land crews, RNLI were requested to assist. The boat was cut free from the marina, beached on the breakwater, and left to burn overnight with a 50m exclusion zone with the help of Police and the harbourmaster.
"No firefighting action was carried out, but two of our crews remained on scene to monitor the situation. By 2am, the fire had reduced significantly and by 5am was almost out.
"We are still waiting on the stop message."
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