RedactedNarrative: On 3/11/17 at approximately 1556 hours I, Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was dispatched to a vessel fire in the area of the Banana River just south State Road 520.  I arrived on scene by vessel at approximately 1620 hours.  I observed a silver 20 foot pontoon boat (FL3419PZ) that had 60 horse power mercury outboard motor.  The motor had been burned to the point that a lot of the components were melted together (see attached photos).  The vessel was registered to Wild Life Watersports and the manager of the livery was on scene assessing the damage.  
  
  Manager advised me that the damage appeared to be $8200.  Manager state that he had just spend approximately $3000 in repairs for the outboard motor.  He stated that Marine Max had done a lot of work to the motor and this was the first time the vessel had been in the water since the repairs.  
  
  Manager provided me with the renters’ information who were no longer on scene.  I conducted a vessel safety inspection and found all required safety equipment.  I found that the fire extinguisher had been used but the gauge still read full.  I tested the fire extinguisher but there was no pressure.
  
  I had Operator and Occupant come back to the scene.  Operator stated that the vessel engine was having trouble staying started.  He stated the motor sounded like it was not running right.  Operator was trying to start the engine for the third time within approximately 20 minutes when he heard a boom.  At this point Operator stated that he could smell fuel and stopped trying to start the motor.  
  
  The motor started smoking and then flame started to come out of the top.  Operator found the fire extinguisher and tried to put the fire out.  The fire extinguisher only worked for a very short time.  The fire extinguisher was not effective at putting the fire out.  Operator stated that the rental company came out and picked them up in another vessel.  I spoke with Occupant separately and she stated the same chain of events.  
  
  
  I went to Wild Life Watersports and made contact with the owner of the livery.  I received a copy of the contract that Operator and Occupant signed (see attached).  I conducted a livery inspection and found that the renters were not given adequate pre-ride instructions on the local surroundings (327.54(1)(e)), including but not limited to manatee zones.
  