The operator informed me (rfc) that he and a friend left the marina and were traveling to the river channel. They spotted the vessel around the "big island" and Operator got in the water to wake board to the dock. When his friend tried to accelerate, the vessel did not want to turn properly. They stopped the engine and they noticed smoke coming from the area in front of the operator. The two men tried to open any compartments that would allow them access to where the smoke was coming from, but had no success. Operator pulled out the cup holder and sprayed the fire extingisher into the opening but the smoke never subsided. The two men finally had to exit the vessel because the smoke was becoming too much. Operator  called 911 after the two men exited the vessel. Operator said that the first place where they saw flames coming from, was the cup holder that he sprayed the fire extinguisher in to. Operator said that the wind was blowing the vessel to the bank but when the fire dept. Arrived they pulled the boat off the bank to prevent a forest fire. When the fire burned down a little the fire dept. Tried to bring the boat back to the bank, but it sank in the process. Hull#usctc13244d111
MORGANTON                     