Abandon Ship!
This morning off the coast of New Zealand, the tourist vessel PeeJay’s entire compliment of 60 people including 53 passengers and 7 crew were forced overboard due to a raging on-board fire. The fire spread from the front of the ship and then after about ten minutes the cabin burst into flames and the fire had engulfed the entire craft. As the fire broke out a little over half a mile from the shore, other ships and authorities sped to the scene to provide assistance to everyone jumping ship as the Captain kept up the mayday call.
All persons were rescued successfully and only one passenger and one crew member were taken immediately to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and smoke inhalation. Unfortunately the PeeJay could not sustain the damage and sank completely in a matter of minutes. Authorities are still looking for the cause of the fire.
