RedactedNarrative: On 06/09/2020 at approximately 1815 hours I received a report of a vessel fire at Wishing Well Cove. Looking towards Wishing Well from Boulder Beach Ranger Station I could see a large plume of black smoke. Arriving on scene at approximately 1908 hours I observed a 28'' Nordic vessel on fire with active flame burning down to the waterline. The vessel had been blown by an easterly wind into the cliffside and was stationary on a submerged rock ledge.  
  
  I made contact with the vessel owners and identified the male operator as: OPERATOR 1. OPERATOR 1 stated that he and his wife were cruising at a speed of approximately 25 mph to the west of Wishing Well Cove. He stated that as they approached the mouth of Wishing Well he began to slow the vessel down and make the turn into the cove. 
  
  OPERATOR 1 stated that as he began to round the western point of Wishing Well he heard a loud "pop" sound from the engine compartment behind him. He stated that the compartment top opened and he saw active flame coming from out of the compartment. Seeing this, OPERATOR 1 attempted to use a fire extinguisher that was accessible but was unable to knock down the flames. OPERATOR 1 also reported that the automated fire suppression system in the vessel was activated but was ineffective against the growing flames. OPERATOR 1 stated that in the short amount of time that the event took place he was unable to turn the engine off. 
  
  OPERATOR 1 stated that when his attempts failed to extinguish the growing flames he and his wife grabbed life jackets and abandoned the vessel and were picked up by a passing good samaritan. OPERATOR 1 stated that after jumping in the water, the vessel drifted into the shoreline where I found it arriving on scene.
  
  OPERATOR 1 stated that he drank 2 beers earlier that day at approximately 1100 hours. During my close interactions interviewing OPERATOR 1 I observed no signs of impairment from either him or his wife. I observed both individuals to be of sound mind and claiming no injuries. I asked OPERATOR 1 for information on the vessel and he stated that he had just bought it 4 weeks prior and had the title and all other documentation on board the vessel when he and his wife abandoned it. I was able to contact the previous owner to receive vessel information.
  
  Before leaving the scene I observed that only a small portion of the boats hull remained. We were unable to recover any valuables on board. We provided a courtesy transport for OPERATOR 1 and his wife to Las Vegas Boat Harbor and cleared the scene at approximately 2010 hours.
  END REPORT