A Texada Island resident is safe after having to abandon his boat Monday, June 2, when fire broke out in the its furnace room.
The boat, built in 1975, was a 40-foot tri-cabin diesel cruiser called E.T. Home 2. It was on its way to Lund for some regular maintenance when owner Tom Powell noticed smoke billowing up from the furnace room as he was passing by Harwood Island in Malaspina Strait.
The black smoke from the boat fire, which broke out at approximately 7:45 am, could be seen for miles on the clear morning.
Powell called for help, then threw his dinghy into the water.
BC Ferries crews from Queen of Burnaby diverted course to assist the boater and the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Cape Caution responded from Powell River.
Powell was transferred to the Coast Guard vessel and brought in safely. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
The boat, which was insured, burned to the waterline and sank.
