Burned pirate boat not part of festival

By Kyle Horan

POSTED: 4:09 PM Aug 30 2012   UPDATED: 5:57 PM Aug 13 2012

A pirate boat is a total loss after catching fire.

The fire happened in Beaufort during the Pirate Invasion weekend. However, the boat was not a part of the official event.

Two people had to jump off the ship onto another boat after the pirate ship caught fire near the Beaufort drawbridge shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday.

Fire crews originally said they think the fire was caused due to a fuel problem, but the official cause is undetermined due to extensive boat damage.

The vessel was a 28-foot pontoon boat that had been transformed into a pirate ship. It is owned by Crystal Coast Lady Cruises. The owner said the boat was worth $25,000.

No one was hurt.

Firefighters from Beaufort and Morehead City were on scene while crews from the U.S. Coast Guard and Tow Boat U.S. also assisted.