Flames Consume Rhode Island Fishing Vessel

BOSTON, MA, July 22, 2007 (The Boating Channel)

The Coast Guard and the Jamestown, RI Fire Department responded to a burning fishing boat four miles south of Newport, R.I. last Thursday morning

Chris Lutyens, the only person aboard the Lucy when it burst into flames, was taken aboard a 25-foot response boat from Station Castle Hill, transported to the Jamestown pier and transferred by awaiting Jamestown EMS to Newport Hospital for follow-up treatment.

The Jamestown Fire Department arrived on-scene around 7:30 a.m. and fought the fire until the vessel sank in about 100-feet of water.

Lutyens escaped in a life raft and called Coast Guard Station Castle Hill by cell-phone, reporting the Lucy, a Jamestown-based boat, on fire south of Lands End, R.I. around 6:20 a.m.

The crew of another fishing vessel, the Odyssey, observed the fire and took Lutyens aboard.

Coast Guard Station Castle Hill responded with a 25-foot-response-boat crew and a 41-foot-utility-boat crew, who arrived on-scene around 6:35 a.m.

"Since Mr. Lutyens had a life raft aboard and the knowledge of how to use it, he was able to safely evacuate the vessel and call for help. We strongly urge all boaters to ensure they have operable emergency equipment when planning to be at sea," said Petty Officer Jason Ronin of Station Castle Hill.