The following boating accident occured on July 10, 2012, at approximately 1630 hours.

The operator of vessel I stopped the boat to retrieve a hat which blew into the water.  The boat was idling and the engine was in neutral.  The engine started to smoke, so the operator turned off the ignition until the smoke cleared.  The operator attempted to start the engine, which failed, and so the occupants of the boat squeezed the fuel line primer bulb.  The next attempt to start the engine only produced more smoke.  After the smoke cleared again, the key was turned a third time and produced a loud "pop" and flames shot out of the engine.  The occupants of Vessel I extinguished the fire with assistance from passing boaters and the vessel was towed to a local marina.  Damage was limited to the engine only, amounting to $7,725.00.
Ossipee                       