Naples Bay boat explosion sends victims airborne

An explosion like a cannon! That is how witnesses described a boat fire in the Naples Bay on Saturday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no sign of an explosion on a boat or anywhere else. However, on Saturday morning, it was a different story.

We do not have any pictures or video, only witnesses and good Samaritans to describe what they saw.

David Michie, who works a Marine Max, knew immediately he had to help. He steered his boat over to the six victims. Five he said that were overboard. One was unconscious.

“We threw them life jackets, called the coast guard, called 911, then brought the boat closer to them and helped them off the boat,” Michie said. “The gentleman that was still on the boat helped them out of the water and onto our boat.”

They took them to shore. An employee nearby who did not want to go on camera, also saw what happened.

“We heard people yelling, ‘help,’ so we ended up running over there they were getting pulled out of the water by another boat,” the woman said. “They were kind of panicky. One person was unconscious. Another had two burns on her legs.”

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said four of the six had to go to the hospital. We know the woman who was rushed to Lee Memorial Hospital is now recovering at home.

Gerald Pecar, the Naples Fire and Rescue battalion chief, said it is possible the build-up of fuel vapor around the enclosed engine could have caused this explosion. But, its investigation could take up to six weeks.

“They were very lucky,” Pecar said. “They were very lucky because it could’ve been much worse.”