17 Rescued from Fire Aboard 46-foot Vessel on Alabama Coast

A fire aboard a 46-foot pleasure boat in Bon Secour Bay on the Alabama coast forced the evacuation of 17 passengers and crew. No one was injured.

The Coast Guard rescued 15 people from the “Ellisa,” and took them to Dauphin Island. Two others were taken to Dog River in south Mobile County.

During the rescue, six people were in a life raft, and eight others went into the water.

Coast Guard officials said the vessel was in Baldwin County waters near the Intracoastal Waterway when the fire started about 6:45 p.m. on May 10. An investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

The crew from a salvage vessel helped the boat owner put out the fire and towed it to Dauphin Island.

The vessel was headed from Dog River to Gulf Shores for a birthday celebration when the fire began in the cabin area, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

The Coast Guard launched a 41-foot utility boat from Dauphin Island and a HH-65C rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station New Orleans.