Coast Guard, local agencies respond to boat fire near Matanzas
     

Coast Guard rescue crews are responding to a reported boat fire Friday 8 miles east of Matanzas.

The six persons aboard donned life jackets before abandoning ship into a life raft.

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville watchstanders received a distress call reporting a 100-foot tug and barge was on fire at 5:05 p.m. A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat - Medium crew from Station Ponce De Leon and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater were launched.

A good Samaritan recovered the crew and is en route to Station Ponce De Leon.

The Coast Guard boat crew is maintaining a security zone around the vessel until a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue boat arrives on scene. 

For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.