On friday, october 27, 2023, at approximately 01:00 pm, a boating incident occurred in carolina beach inlet on the north side of the beach.  Vessel 1 was a 1994 22' grady-white boat with a 200-horsepower outboard motor. Vessel 1 was owned by operator. There was one passenger onboard. 

Upon investigation and speaking with the operator and the passenger, it was determined that the following events took place:  the operator was traveling into carolina beach inlet from the ocean between 15-20 mph when the vessel started to hit bottom coming into the inlet. 

Operator then noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vessel. Operator stated he turned the motor off, pulled safety kill switch, and disconnected both batteries. He tried to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher that was on board vessel 1 but was unsuccessful.  A nearby boat came and let operator use their fire extinguisher but was still unable to put out the fire.  Operator and the passenger boarded the other vessel. 

Carolina beach fire department, new hanover fire department and ncwrc officers responded and were able to put out the fire. 

Vessel 1 was damaged beyond repair.  An estimated $7500.00 worth of personal property was also lost in the fire. There were no injuries.
No charges filed.

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CAROLINA BEACH INLET
CAROLINA BEACH                