Local News in Brief : 2 Flee Burning Boat Off Catalina Island
Two men jumped into an 11-foot lifeboat and escaped without injury from the burning 55-foot cabin cruiser After You off Santa Catalina Island Friday afternoon, authorities reported.
The owner of the boat, Bill Schulz, 43, of Pico Rivera, said an engine warning light flashed on, and he opened the hatch cover to find it fully aflame. “The fire spread so fast he couldn’t get to his radio to put out a Mayday so he and his passenger just took to their skiff and escaped,” U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Keith Sumner said.
Other vessels, including a large ocean research boat, in the area 5 1/2 miles off Catalina’s west end, spotted the flames and began to fight the fire until county lifeguards arrived.
“We got there about an hour after the flames broke out and were able to put out the fire but by then it was just a drifting derelict and it sank within a half hour,” Lifeguard Lt. John McKay said. The passenger was identified as Donald Fowler, 54, of North Hollywood. McKay said the boat was berthed in Wilmington.
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