OPeRATOR WAS OPERATING VESSEL A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE BOAT DOCK TO THE BOAT RAMP TO LOAD IT UP. AFTER DRIVING IT A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE DOCK THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO START THE VESSEL AGAIN AND IT BACKFIRED.  OPERATORS WIFE THEN NOTICES THE VESSEL WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE AROUND THE ENGINE OF THE INBOARD VESSEL. AFTER THE FIRE STARTED THE FOUR PASSENGERS JUMPED OFF THE VESSEL. OPERATOR THEN TRIED TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. HE THEN REALIZED IT WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND JUMPED INTO THE WATER AS WELL AND SWAM TO THE SHORE.  AFTER THE FAMILY WAS AWAY FROM THE VESSEL, WITNESSES ON JET SKIES TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BY DRIVING AROUND THE VESSEL SPLASHING WATER ON IT. ALL PASSENGERS WHERE WEARING PFD'S. ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED.
CLARKSON                      