On 12/24/2023, at 0010, I, Game Warden responded to a boat that was on fire at Morning Star Marina on St Simons Island in Glynn County.  When I arrived, I first spoke with the owner, and the occupant.  Owner and Occupant both said they woke up to the smell of smoke, got off the boat, and called the fire department.  I asked Owner where they were headed and he said they were headed to Fort Lauderdale in Florida.  Owner said they were only staying for the night.  I asked Owner what kind of boat he had.  Owner said the boat is a 42 foot Marquis Powerboat with twin inboard diesel engines.  I told Owner and Occupant that I will get witness statements from them in a little bit.

	After getting some basic information from Owner and Occupant, I walked down to the end of the dock, where the boat was located.  Glynn County Fire Department was already on scene fighting the fire that was inside the cabin of the boat.  I spoke with the batallion chief, who said that a retired fire fighter, who is living on a neighboring boat, hit the fuel shutoff switch first thing.  The batallion chief asked if I talked with the owner and occupant of the boat.  I told him that I spoke with them briefly and got some basic information from them.

	After fighting the fire for almost two hours, Glynn County Fire was able to put the fire out inside the boat.  At 0200 the boat sank at the dock.  I told Owner and Occupant that I will meet with them in the morning and get witness statement forms from them.  The batallion chief with Glynn County Fire took Owner and Occupant to a hotel on St. Simons Island so they would have a place to stay for the night. *** 	On 12/24/2023, at 0930, I, Game Warden met with the General Manager back at Morning Star Marina to assess any other damages and get a better look at things during daylight hours.  I took some picture of the damaged areas of the dock where the boat was tied up to.  He called a marine salvage company that was local to possibly get an estimate on the damages done.  The owner of the salvage company came out and assessed the damages.  The current quote of damages done to the dock and pilings at the marina is at $300,000. *** 	On 12/24/2023, at 1130, I, Game Warden Met with Owner and Occupant at the Glynn County Police Department's headquarters.  Owner and Occupant were able to provide me written witness statements at this location.  Owner said that he is going to get a new phone and will get me his insurance policy once he has a new phone. *** The following statement *** The following is Owner statement:

Around 1130 pm while I was sleeping I wake up to heavy smoke in my room.  I went outside to get fresh air and saw its getting worse.  I wake up my partner in other room.  Once we was outside the boat I shut off he shore power electric.  Once I did that flames started in the kitchen area and in few second big fire.  We called 911 and fire department was on the way to us. *** The following statement is Occupant witness statement:

At 1150 my friend wake me up.  Both of us sleeping.  The boat with full of smoke.  We go outside to see whats going and is minute after the boat got on fire.  I call police department and they sent the fire department.

Brunswick River
ST SIMONS ISLAND              