A BOAT that caught fire in the River Medina, near The Folly Inn, on Friday (March 24) is confirmed to have sunk, and the area is now under protection from pollution as a precaution.
Emergency services, including firefighters, coastguard and lifeboat teams, were all called to the River Medina.
The boat was well alight on an offshore pontoon, off Folly Lane, with flammables on board, which led to safety fears.
At least five fire appliances, some from Newport and East Cowes, were in attendance, and Bembridge RNLI and Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard teams were also called.
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A spokesperson for Cowes Harbour Commission said: “Cowes Harbour Master is continuing to work with the owners of the wrecked vessel ‘Saby’.
“The unoccupied vessel was lost to fire while moored on a Newport Harbour river pontoon just South of the Folly Inn.
“Nobody was aboard the boat at the time, and there have been no reported injuries.
“The boat is currently sitting on the bottom of the River Medina while salvage is being arranged.”
“As a precaution, the area is being protected with specialist equipment to contain any pollution, although no spillage has been detected.
“The source of ignition causing the total loss of the boat has not been identified.”
The Harbour Commission said that 'very little' damage to the pontoon, where Saby was situated, has been reported, and no damage has been caused to adjacent moored vessels.
The spokesperson continued: “Cowes Harbour Commission recognises and thanks their patrol officers and the emergency services, including Hampshire and IW Fire Service, Coastguard rescue teams and RNLI, for their swift response to this incident.”
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