RedactedNarrative: On 6/18/2017 at approximately 1750 hours, V1 indicated they were having some occasional problems with the boat accelerating.  Owner stated that they had dropped several people off at the marina and took the boat back out to change a fuel filter. Operator stated that while changing the fuel filter the engine compartment ignited.  Operator said he closed the engine compartment and got his fire extinguisher. 
  
  After locating his fire extinguisher, he attempted to open the engine cover but the power actuated cover would not open. Smoke and flames started to come out from the engine compartment and the operator & occupant put on life jackets, called 911 and then jumped off the boat into the water. 
  
  Operator stated he was not sure exactly what had happened but thought it may be from a wire connection he had made to the bilge pump. He stated he had made a hardwired connection to power the bilge pump.  After the fire was put out by the fire department the boat was towed back to the marina.  Officer met the marina technician to further look at the boat. 
  
  Officer & the technician noticed a wrench sitting on the bottom of the starboard side of the boat near where the fuel filter would be located.  The wrench was located near what appeared to be several battery cables.  The technician confirmed that the wrench was lying near the fuel filter adapter.  He also stated that the cables running by the fuel filter adapter were battery cables that go to an auxiliary post which is used for jump starting or charging batteries. Officer asked Operator about the wrench.  Operator stated that the wrench had rubber grips on it but it was very old and they may have been torn.  Operator didn't recall touching the wrench to the battery wires. His head was down in the engine compartment and had removed the old fuel filter which had fallen sown in the bottom the hull.  
  
  Operator was in the process of installing the new filter when with his head still down in the engine compartment when flames ignited.  Operator did not recall seeing sparks or specifically touching anything with the wrench.  Officer asked again how Operator had wired the bilge pump.  Operator stated that he ran a wire directly from the bilge pump to the battery bypassing the switch on the cockpit. Operator failed to provide an Operators report.
  