RedactedNarrative: Operator put boat in the water for the first time this year.  Operator asked passenger if he wanted to go for a ride.  Passenger accepted.  
  
  Operator stated that he was traveling at about 40-50 mph on plane when he noticed the smell of "burning" plastic.  As Operator pulled the throttle back he observed smoke starting to come out of interior compartments.  At that point he stopped the boat and saw flames coming from the engine compartment.  
  
  At this time, a near-by boat saw the incident and went over to assist Operator and Passenger.  Both operator and passenger put PFD's on at this time.  Operator and Passenger boarded the "rescue" boat.  Attempts were made to tow burning boat into shore for fire department to put fire out.  
  
  When flames became too large, the tow rope was cut, freeing the towing vessel from the burning vessel.  Winds that day slowly pushed the burning boat close enough to the Madawaska shoreline where the fire department, with assistance from other private vessels, was able to get a hose out to burning vessel and extinguish the fire.  The burnt vessel, now a total loss, was towed to shore and removed by a front-end loader.  Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) was notified due to the fire suppression foam floating in the water.  It appeared that no fuel was spilled during the course of this incident.
  