On 12 May, 2013, I (Investigator of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) responded to a boat fire in Rocky Bayou.  Upon My arrival the vessel was fully involved and the persons on board had already been recovered by a good Samaritan.  At the dock I interviewed the Owner/Operator and his occupant . 

They gave the following account:
       Fueled boat at Bluewater Bay Marina where they keep it. (200 Gals)  
       They dropped anchor on the southeast side of the bridge and occupant went to bow to use the phone.
       As occupant was on the bow talking on phone, operator started to smell an odor he believed to be burning wires.
       They lifted anchor in attempt to make it back to Bluewater Bay Marina.
       As they rounded the corner a hatch was opened and a lot of smoke was coming out. 
       They again dropped anchor and abandoned ship.
       Another vessel grabbed the anchor line and pulled the Vessel farther away from shore to protect some docks.

Destin Fire  rescue  arrived on scene and started pumping water into the vessel.  The fire was extinguished and the vessel sunk.  A commercial company was later brought in to raise the vessel and remove it from the water. Due to the vessel being submerged under the saltwater and the corrosion that followed its salvage, i am unable to determine the origin of the fire.

In subsequent interviews the owner stated that they had had the vessel worked on approximately 3 months before.

Based on the information and evidence available at this time  there are no charges.
NICEVILLE