MACOMB COUNTY (WWJ) - A Good Samaritan along with Downriver marine deputies are being praised for their quick thinking after a boat went up in smoke on the Fourth of July.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said a boater and his office's Marine Division both assisted in the rescue of over half a dozen people on a 1985 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer near the Belle Maer Harbor Marina, effectively preventing "a greater tragedy from occurring."
The sheriff's deputies and officers responded to reports of a vessel about 1,000 ft. offshore of the marina with smoke coming out of several areas.
When authorities got to the scene, the found of the owner and six passengers from the Sea Ray on a Good Samaritan's boat. No one was injured.
The same could not be said of the Sea Ray. Deputies noted it was billowing smoke from the engine compartment air intakes and open cabin hatches.
While no flames were observed, the Marine Division immediately went to work and began pumping water into the smoking area and onto the deck of the crippled boat.
Once they boarded the ship, officials assessed the fire source and tried to find other hot spots to douse in water.
"Deputies and Officers also addressed smoke coming from two electrical invertors mounted on the forward bulkhead of the engine compartment, disconnecting an electrical wire supplying the boat," the sheriff's office said.
When the fire threat was terminated, authorities advised the U.S. Coast Guard that no pollution had made it into the water.
Wickersham applauded law enforcement officers that responded to the vessel in distress, as well as the Good Samaritan for their roles in the Independence Day rescue.
“I am proud of this exemplary group of Deputies and Officers,” Wickersham stated. “They acted swiftly, and professionally, ensuring the passengers were safely aboard a secure vessel, and worked to terminate the fire threat.”
Wickersham continued, “I also commend the efforts of the good Samaritan, who likely prevented a greater tragedy from occurring. We are thankful he was on the water to assist.”