Fishing Boat Catches Fire Off Kiawah Island Coast

Charleston, SC - Three people were rescued about a mile east of Kiawah Beach, S.C., when their fishing trawler caught fire forcing them to abandon ship Saturday at about 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Vernon Lanier, 43, of Winter Haven, Fla., was piloting the boat with Willy Washington, 46, and Robert White, 41, both are from Wadmalaw Island, S.C., when the fire engulfed the pilot house on the 69-foot trawler named Olivia B from Cherry Point, S.C. The men radioed Coast Guard rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston and abandoned ship into a life raft. The Coast Guard launched a boat crew from Station Charleston, an aircrew from Air Facility Charleston and the Cutter Yellow Fin to assist the trio. The Coast Guard aircrew arrived and lowered their hoist basket to the men in the life raft. The aircrew was able to hoist White and could not get Lanier and Washington in the basket. The aircrew pulled back and let a nearby fishing vessel pick up the remaining two. White was transported to John's Island Executive Airport, S.C., and Lanier and Washington were taken to Bohicket Marina on Seabrook Island, S.C. All of the men are in good condition. The vessel sank shortly after the rescue, but Coast Guard rescue coordinators have transmitted an information broadcast asking mariners to used caution when traveling through the area of Kiawah Beach.

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