On 06/08/2013, at about 3:10 p.m., a Kitsap County Sheriff's Officer overheard a marine broadband radio distress call in reference to a boat fire between Blake Island and Vashon Island. A 1975, 36' Grand Banks trawler had an engine room fire. 

The officer responded to the area and located the boat on fire. He made contact with the owner and was advised that the boat was possibly still on fire. Smoke was still coming from the vessel. The officer boarded the vessel and could feel the heat from fire on the deck of the boat. 

The decision was made for Operator to leave the vessel and get on the officer's boat. A chartered scuba dive boat, that had stopped to render assistance, was also tied up to Operator' boat. Operator' wife and his brother-in-law, were on board the dive boat. It was decided to transfer the two and a dog onto the officers' boat also. The officer advised the dive boat to disconnect from Operator' vessel. 

Prior to the officer's arrival one of the divers from the dive boat emptied two CO2 fire extinguishers into the engine compartment. Officers deployed the anchor of Operator' vessel and removed an external gas tank. 

Seattle Fire Department fire boat arrived on scene, fire personnel made entry onto the vessel and applied foam to the engine compartment. Once Operator' vessel was safe, three people, and the officer boarded the vessel. 

It appeared that the transfer case to the engine possibly overheated and started the fire. There was charring to the wood around the transfer case. The back sides of the floor covering the engine compartment were also black. 

There were no injuries or fatalities. 
There was no apparent alcohol involvement. 
The vessel was a total loss - valued at $110,000. 
No PFDs were worn at the time of incident. 
The operator did not have a mandatory Boater Education Card - Exempt by age. 
There were no Rules of the Road Violations.
Southworth