A boat has caught alight almost directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge sparking a rescue effort from passing watercraft.
Emergency services received reports of a 30ft sports cruiser with smoke pouring out of the cabin near the south end of the bridge just past 10am on Monday.
About a half dozen vessels, including two ferries, approached the boat to provide aid nine passengers before it was doused in water by a Port Authority firefighting boat.
The passengers found refuge on a barge before being taken to the NSW Marine Area Command.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said paramedics assessed the occupants of the boat to not need to be taken to hospital.
Fire crews were also dispatched to the scene and boarded the boat after the blaze was extinguished.
A boat has been seen with smoke pouring out of its cabin after catching alight on Sydney Harbour on Monday (pictured)
They found the fire had originated in the vessel’s engine compartment but it is unknown what caused it, a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the boat was towed away by water police following the fire crew’s examination.
NSW Police have launched enquiries into the cause of the blaze.
More to come.
