On 8/12/13 at approximately 1920 hours  I, Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was dispatched to a vessel on fire at the Port La Belle Inlet on the Caloosahatchee River.

        Upon my arrival the  fire department had the fire extinguished from the vessel. The vessel was burnt to the water line in the stern area. It appeared that it started in the stern and apparently worked forward. I spoke with witnesses which told me that they were on their vessel when the heard a "bang" and then came out to see the vessel , David's Wing, engulfed in flames. They did not notice anyone else to be in the area. The dock master informed me that he had not seen the vessel owner in 2 days and upon his arrival he had moved any vessels that were near the burning vessel. Both the witness and the dock master agreed to give written statements. I was unable to contact the owner the night of the fire.

        The following morning I met with the owner of the vessel. Owner informed me that he was in La Belle, with his daughters, on the night of the vessel fire. Owner stated that he had owned the vessel 18 years. According to Owner he had to borrow money from a friend and they then agreed to transfer the vessel in to friend’s name for collateral. The debt had been paid back and Owner informed me that he was in the progress of having it put back into his name. There was no insurance nor money owed on the vessel according to Owner. 

        After speaking with Owner I then contacted the fire marshal, Lt. Lt. informed me that he could not fully inspect the vessel and there for the cause is undetermined. His report will be turned in upon receiving it.   

        The vessel, USCG document number 661375 David's Wing, was burnt beyond repair and there were also approximately 6 dock piling damaged from the vessel fire. There were no bodily injuries.
MOORE HAVEN