A sailing school that lost a 36ft Jeanneau yacht to a devastating blaze has praised the firefighters and marina staff who attended the incident.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the cruiser, which belongs to the Hamble School
of Yachting, at 12.30pm on Monday and extinguished the fire using four breathing apparatus and two jets.

A spokesman for Hamble School of Yachting praised the rescuers, saying: ‘The fire brigade were fantastic, so was the marina. Luckily the yacht was in front on our mooring area and the fire didn’t spread to any surrounding boats.

‘We’re still operating our business as usual. Nobody was on the boat at the time and we don’t yet know the cause.

‘Originally it was thought that the engine had caught fire but the insurers discounted that yesterday.’

Hamble School of Yachting is based at Mecury Yacht Harbour, which was originally built by Sir Robin Knox Johnston, and is situated where the shallow waters of Badnam Creek join the River Hamble.

This latest boat blaze comes just days after PBO published a warning from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for boat owners to pay attention to electrical items and the use of liquids and gas following a yacht fire at Hythe Marina.

A spokesman for the service said: ‘Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) have seen an increase in boat fires in recent weeks.

‘We would advise all boat owners who are getting their boats ready for the sailing season, to pay attention to electrical items and use of liquids and gas.’

Find boat fire safety advice on the HFRS website: www.hantsfire.gov.uk/boat

Pictures: Credited to MVM Systems Twitter @mvmsys