Lobster boat burns on Moosabec Reach

JONESPORT — A Coast Guard boat crew extinguished a boat fire early Thursday morning on Moosabec Reach.

At about 6:12 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a call from the owner, who was on shore, that his 32-foot lobster boat Bigger Dirls was on fire on a mooring off the marina on Hopkins Point in West Jonesport.

Fishing vessel Bigger Dirls on fire in Hopkins Point Marina in Jonesport on Thursday. No one was aboard at the time.
COAST GUARD PHOTO

Station Jonesport launched a 29-foot response boat crew. They arrived on scene where the vessel was tied to a mooring ball and used their dewatering pump to begin fighting the fire.

The Jonesport Fire Department arrived on scene aboard the lobster boat Mama’s Monkey and helped the Coast Guard crew douse the flames. After the fire was extinguished, Bigger Dirls was towed by a Good Samaritan to shore at Hopkins Point marina.

The Holland 32 Bigger Dirls is owned by Steve Carver of West Jonesport and has been a frequent winner on the Maine lobster boat racing circuit for several years. Mama’s Monkey is owned by Jason Mills of Jonesport.

The cause of the boat fire is currently under investigation.

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Stephen Rappaport

Waterfront Editor at The Ellsworth American

Stephen Rappaport has lived in Maine for nearly 30 years. A lifelong sailor, he spends as much time as possible messing about in boats. [email protected]

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