Owner of burning boat working with Coast Guard to salvage vessel

The owner of a boat that caught fire and sank off Maunalua Bay Sunday is working with the Coast Guard and state Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response office on salvaging the vessel, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman said.

The owner issued a distress call at 11:17 a.m. Sunday after the 25-foot boat caught fire about a mile off-shore.

The man tried to extinguish the fire, but had to jump overboard to escape the flames, Fire Capt. David Jenkins said.

Another boat rescued the man and brought him to shore.

Honolulu firefighters used the prop wash from a rescue boat in an attempt to extinguish the flames, but the burning vessel sank.

The fire started in the engine compartment, the owner told firefighters.