V1 was being operated on the Santa Fe River by the above operator when it began to have engine troubles. The operator of a nearby vessel decided to assist the operator of V1 by towing them to shore. While being towed, the operator of V1 made repeated attempts to crank the boat's engine. It finally cranked and the operator of V1 told the individual towing his boat to remove the tow line because his boat was now running properly. At about that same time the operator of V1 stated he heard and explosion and looked back to see his engine compartment on fire. Attempts were made to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but the attempts were unsucessful. The operator of V1 and his occupant decided to abandon the vessel and jumped in the river swimming to shore uninjured. The vessel was a total lost due to the fire and eventually came to rest on the Suwannee County side of the Santa Fe River.
BRANFORD                      