Shortly after two o’clock on Maundy Thursday, boat owners woke up to shouting and banging on canopies. In the port of Rosendal, a leisure boat had caught fire and the family of six was on board when it started to burn. Between 40 and 50 other boats were moored around the burning boat. Quick-thinking boaters pulled the burning boat out to sea just before it was completely engulfed in flames. – It was a good job so that the fire did not spread. A propane tank was also moved so that it did not catch fire, says operations manager Steinar Hausvik in the West police district. No one was injured in the fire. FLAMMEHAV: The leisure boat was pulled away from the marina just in time. Photo: Private – Five minutes later we hadn’t made it One of those who had just gone to sleep was Ståle Daae Børnes, who was on an Easter trip to Rosendal in Kvinnherad. When he got onto the pier he saw thick smoke billowing out of the boat which lay across from him. The former frigate engineer got hold of a knife and made his way to the burning vessel. – I went out on the outrigger and had to close my eyes and hold my breath, says Børnes. He felt his way along the rip and cut the mooring lines. Several of the boaters arrived and another got an inflatable boat on the water. At the last minute, they pulled the boat out from the quay. – When we had backed up a little, the flames came out of the roof and the engine room caught fire. It happens so fast. If it had been five minutes later, we wouldn’t have made it, says Børnes. He would like to commend the family for being alerted quickly, and everyone on the dock who worked well together. It took around ten minutes from the time they were notified until the boat had pulled out of the harbour. WAKE UP BY SHOUTING: Ståle Børnes was woken up by shouting on the quay when the leisure boat nearby caught fire. Photo: Private – Fantastic efforts When the fire brigade arrived at the scene, the boat was completely engulfed in flames. Eventually they were able to pull the burning boat even further away. – We started extinguishing from shore and requisitioned a fire boat with bilges because there was quite a diesel leak, says task leader Øyvind Ousdal in Kvinnherad fire and rescue. It was too dangerous to board the boat and eventually a hole burned in the hull so that the boat sank. The bilges, which absorb diesel, were placed around the casualty. Ousdal also praises the effort. – They discovered the fire very early, and when they couldn’t put it out, everyone was evacuated and nearby boats were alerted. People assisted and helped and it has been a fantastic effort, but it is very important to always think about your own safety, he says. Ousdal has some clear advice if the crisis should arise: The smoke from plastic boats is very toxic: Remember to stand with the wind at your back Notify as early as possible Have smoke alarms and check that they are working. HEVES: On Maundy Thursday afternoon, the casualty was raised after the heavy fire. Photo: Gøril M. Berg The boat owner from Bergen does not want to be named, but tells Bergens Tidende that he is glad that no one was injured. – I would like to thank known and unknown people in the boating community. We were well looked after, and everyone behaved properly, he tells the newspaper. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. BOAT FIRE: The recreational boat caught fire in the marina in Rosendal in Kvinnherad.
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Family of six was on board – news Vestland
