ST. GEORGES, DELAWARE (8/8/2016) A 36-foot sailboat just purchased this morning in Philadelphia caught fire and burned in the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal this afternoon, authorities said.
The sailboat “Next Time” was west of the Roth Bridge (Route 1) just after 1 p.m. when the two occupants reported smoke and flames on the boat, said Dave Carpenter Jr., public information officer for the Delaware City Fire Company.
Carpenter said they were heading toward Maryland.
“Upon arrival in the canal, they noticed some mechanical issues. They proceeded to approach the north side of the canal for safety when they noticed smoke from the floorboards,” he said.
They were able to reach the rocks along the north bank and escape without any injuries, then called 911.
The boat was well involved in flames when firefighters from Delaware City arrived about 1:20 p.m. on land and in a fire boat.
Good Will and Port Penn firefighters assisted, with the fire under control at 2:15 p.m.
Carpenter said the boat was destroyed. He didn’t know if it had been purchased new or used.
State fish and wildlife agents are investigating the fire and handling salvage with a private company.
Carpenter said this is the fourth water rescue on the Delaware River and C&D Canal that Delaware City, Port Penn, and Goodwill fire companies have responded to in the past two days.