Eight people were rescued yesterday after the speedboat they were on caught fire
Eight people were rescued yesterday afternoon after the speedboat they were on caught fire in Studland Bay.
Rescue services were alerted to the problems on board Feeling Woosley 2 after a member of the RNLI spotted a red distress flare and alerted the Portland Coastguard.
Six members of the group were rescued from the water after they jumped overboard to escape the fire, while a further two were rescued from the vessel.
The speedboat was towed back to shore where it was met by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and Poole Coastguard. The fire was thought to be electrical and the boat was also reportedly found to have exhaust problems.
Portland watch manager, Andy Jenkins, said, “The situation could have been very serious as the speedboat had 60 gallons of petrol on board. Because they had prepared for the unexpected, the crew of Feeling Woosey 2 could evacuate to the water and summon assistance with their distress flare within seconds.”
