Received notification of a boat fire close to the V-dock area at Mt. Harbor.  Upon arrival, V1 was tied up against the north side bank with fire boats still around it - fire had been extinguished.  Operator stated he just took the boat out for the first time since having some maintenance done on the hydraulics and batter compartment area.  When leaving the area to test V1, he drove to Ft. Smith cove and then came back to Mt. Harbor.  After slowing down and entering the V-dock area, he heard a pop and then saw smoke coming from the battery compartment area.  Operator shut down V1 and he and the passenger put on life jackets and jumped into the water.  They were rescued by Joplin FD.

Upon investigation, it appeared the fire was contained in the battery compartment area.  The fiberglass on the starboard stern had some cosmetic damage.  It was discovered that the batteries were just put in (new) and it was apparent one of them exploded causing the fire.
MT. IDA                       