RedactedNarrative: Boat operator reported that he and four other passengers were traveling in his 42’ Bertram from Pawtuxet Cove in Warwick headed to Narragansett on Aug 20, 2015.  While en route in the vicinity of Fox Island, the boat suddenly caught fire and large billows of black smoke emanated from the exhaust on starboard side.  A good Samaritan assisted and boarded all five passengers.  Several fire departments responded to the scene and found the boat fully engulfed with flames.  After the fire was contained, the boat was towed back to Pawtuxet Cove and secured to the dock.  EPO resounded to Pawtuxet Cove and inspected the boat.  He observed the vessel and immediately determined that the boat was a total loss.  The entire cabin was destroyed, the fire had burned completely through the hull on the starboard side.  Looking down into the boat from the gunwale, he could see all the way down into the bilge.  This is where the fire burned the hottest and longest.  
  
  Operator told EPO that the boat had not had any service recently and he ran the boat two weeks earlier.  He said he ran the air conditioning off the batteries and not the generator.  It was possible that the circuit was over loaded.  The wires may have been corroded and began to heat up as a result.  There was extensive damage to the electrical service panel.  A positive assessment of how the fire started would have to be determined through a professional investigation.