On 5/27/13 at approximately 1300 hours the PWC operator, and single passenger were northbound in the canal connectign Little Lake Conway to Big Lake conway. This canal is idlespeed only. The operator stated they were approximately 20 minnutes into their voyage and heading back in the direction of their home dock. While navigating the canal the operator received an alert tone and message on the PWC display, showing P0562, indicating a low voltage situation. According to the operator, he shut the PWC's engine down and re-started, to clear the alarm. The alarm remained steady when the operator re-started the engine. This is when the oeprator and passenger both started to smell smoke. The engine cut off, so the operator entered the water to try to "swim" the PWC to the nearby shoreline. The operator and passenger both noticed flames coming from the forward storage compartment and saw smoke coming from the front and back of the PWC. The operator managed to bring the PWC ashore where the fire was extinguished. When I arrived on scene at approximately 1342 hours, both the operator and passenger were still wearing their PFD's. While interviewing the operator and the PWC owner, I was informed that there was recent mechanical and/or electrical work performed on the PWC and this was the first voyage since the repairs were completed.

After interviewing the operator, passenger, PWC owner, I contacted Detective with the Fire Marshall's Office over the phone. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time. But the configuration of the PWC, having the engine compartment directly under the seat, and the storage/battery compartment forward in the bow, where the first sign of odor, smoke and fire were observed, it seems most likely the fire was cause by a possible electrical fault.

The PWC displayed FL7021JD on the starboard side but the port side was completely burned off, along with the Hull Identification numbers. The PWC was towed from the scene until the secondary "confidential" hull number could be verified. This was done on 5/28/13 and the hold on the PWC was lifted.
Belle Isle