Coast Guard responds to boat fire near Matanzas

Good Samaritian recovered crew

MATANZAS, Fla. – Coast Guard crews responded to a reported boat fire Friday, eight miles east of Matanzas, Florida.

The Coast Guard said, six people aboard the ship put on life jackets and abandoned ship into a life raft.

The Coast Guard received the distress call from the 100-foot tugboat and barge on fire at 5:05 p.m. Friday.

A 45-foot response boat from Station Ponce De Leon and a Jayhawk helicopter were launched in response.

While on the way to the burning ship, a good Samaritan recovered the crew and took them to the Ponce De Leon station.

The Coast Guard kept a security zone around the vessel until a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue boat arrived on scene.

No one was injured in the accident.