14 Passengers Rescued from Tour Boat Fire

The Coast Guard rescued 14 passengers after their tour boat caught fire near San Francisco Bay, Sunday, May 5, 2013.

At approximately 5:27 p.m., the Coast Guard received a call from a San Francisco Duck Tour boat after smoke was spotted coming from the engine compartment while underway along the San Francisco waterfront. The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot response boat from Station San Francisco, and a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station San Francisco. The San Francisco Fire Department also launched a fire boat to assist.

When the Coast Guard and fire department assets arrived on scene, all passengers were wearing personal flotation devices. The fire suppression system onboard the tour boat had been activated by the vessel's operator. The rescue boat crew took 14 of the passengers to Pier 52, and a vessel salvage company, Vessel Assist San Francisco Bay and Delta, towed the tour boat back to Pier 52.

There were no reported injuries. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of fire.

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Source: http://www.uscgnews.com/