Recently Sold Vessel Burns at Hannah Bay
A 67-foot converted ferry named Kelly Jayne, recently sold to non-resident owners, caught fire after being taken from Nanny Cay and was beached at Hannah Bay to prevent the blaze spreading through the marina. Husky Salvage & Towing towed and grounded the vessel, averting damage to other boats while the cause remains under investigation.
A 67-foot converted ferry that had been sold three months ago was destroyed by fire after being moved from Nanny Cay and beached in the mangroves at Hannah Bay, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reports. Kevin Rowlette of Husky Salvage & Towing told VINO the vessel, named Kelly Jayne, had new owners who do not live in the territory.
Crew preparing the boat to leave discovered smoke Thursday afternoon, and the fire quickly escalated from light smoke to open flames. "There was no time to try fighting the fire at the dock," Rowlette said, so his team towed the burning vessel away from other boats and secured it in a mangrove area off Hannah Bay before beaching it.
He said the fast action prevented a much larger marina disaster, noting that other vessels were not damaged and there were no reported injuries. The decision to tow and beach the burning vessel appears to have limited the immediate risk to marina infrastructure and neighbouring craft.
Rowlette described the potential for a major marina fire as "huge," and credited the salvage operation with containing the incident to a single vessel. Rowlette declined to speculate on the cause of the blaze, saying investigations will be needed. He noted that many boat fires originate from electrical faults, but stressed that he could not confirm a cause.
He also expects the vessel's owners will soon arrange for removal and disposal of the burned hull. Local residents should be aware that the grounding of a fire-damaged boat in a mangrove area raises environmental concerns, including potential fuel or oil contamination and damage to sensitive shoreline habitat.
It is not yet known which agencies will lead any environmental assessment or removal operation, but owners, salvage crews and relevant authorities will likely coordinate next steps. The incident highlights risks associated with mooring and maintaining large vessels in BVI marinas, especially when ownership changes involve non-resident owners who may not be on hand to respond quickly.
Marina operators and boat owners are reminded to maintain electrical systems, fuel lines and fire-suppression equipment and to notify marina management promptly of any signs of smoke or fault. This account is based on reporting by Virgin Islands News Online and statements from Husky Salvage & Towing.
Further updates are expected as investigations and removal plans develop.
Primary source: VINO