Dorchester couple saved by lifeboat after fire broke out on boat (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester couple saved by lifeboat after fire broke out on boat

2:30pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in News

A COUPLE were rescued after a fire broke out on their boat on its maiden voyage.

The pair, aged in their 50s and from Dorchester , were plucked to safety by a lifeboat crew.

They raised the alarm with Portland Coastguard yesterday when they noticed smoke coming from the side engine vents and up through the throttle controls as they sailed just outside Poole Harbour entrance.

Their stricken boat, a 27ft Falcon 27 motor cruiser, was towed into Poole by a lifeboat and the couple were taken to safety. A spokesman for Poole lifeboat said both RNLI boats were launched when the alarm was raised.

He said: “The vessel was deemed safe and nobody was in imminent danger so a tow was attached and the all-weather lifeboat took the stricken vessel back to North Haven where the fire and rescue service were waiting to inspect the vessel to make certain it was safe.”