RedactedNarrative: On may 31, 2016 at approximately 12:00pm, a boating incident occurred on lake norman near the r4 lateral marker in ramsey creek. The vessel was a 1994 four winns model 190 horizon. A fire ignited within the engine compartment.  The operator was able to quickly extinguish the flames. No one was injured in this incident. 
  
  The weather was clear and sunny with an air temperature of approximately 78 degrees.   Operator was operating the vessel with his wife and another passenger on board. Operator stated that they had just finished lunch at the port city club and were navigating southwest in ramsey creek back toward his residence.  As they approached lateral marker r4, the engine shut off and they noticed heavy black smoke coming from the engine compartment.  
  
  As they opened the cover to the inboard engine, there were flames within the engine compartment.  Wife stated that all occupants put on personal flotation devices once they saw the smoke.  Operator was able to quickly extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher.  Operator stated that they subsequently poured water over the engine and within the engine compartment to ensure that it did not reignite. They were able to call emergency services for assistance and the cornelius police department arrived on scene to transport them back to shore. 
  
  It appears that the impeller malfunctioned causing the engine to overheat. The excess heat appears to have caused the rubber exhaust bellows and the ventilation hoses within the engine compartment to melt and ignite. This incident could have resulted in personal injury or further extensive damage to the vessel if the operator did not have a serviceable and readily accessible fire extinguisher on board.