Cleanup resumed at Green Turtle Bay Marina Monday morning after a large fire destroyed a pier and nine boats over the weekend.
According to officials with the Green Turtle Bay Resort, the fire broke out on a boat moored on Pier 11 at the marina around 3:00 Sunday morning and was reported to management by a boater on an adjoining dock. Officials say in spite of efforts by other boat owners and marina personnel, the fire soon spread to other boats. Fire department boats from Lyon, Livingston, and Marshall counties were able to move many boats from the pier but officials say nine boats were destroyed and sank in the harbor. There were no injuries nor fatalities reported.
The fire was brought under control by 6:00 Sunday morning and officials say the harbor was cordoned off to protect the surrounding environment, while a representative of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection was present and assisted in the recovery. By late Sunday afternoon, officials say the debris from the fire had been removed from the harbor and the remaining boats at Pier 11 were safely moved to other locations in the marina.
Officials say environmental clean-up resumed early Monday morning and sheen from the spillage is being removed from the harbor by marina personnel. Salvage companies have been requested to remove the sunken boats from the harbor, which will be transported to approved reclamation sites. Officials indicate this work will proceed within the next few days.
In addition, officials say plans are currently underway for the removal and replacement of Pier 11. They add timing of this work will be dependent upon the availability of materials and labor for a new dock, which is anticipated to be completed before the end of the current boating season.
The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the determine the cause of the fire.
