early Saturday turned a fishing charter boat into a floating inferno.

Waterlogged firefighters waded out to the 47-foot craft floating 250 yards south of the Causeway but repeated attempts to extinguish the flames failed when vast quantities of escaping diesel continued to reignite.

The boat was swiftly engulfed in fire and by daylight, a charred hull gutted by flames was all that remained.

Firemen weighed down with heavy boots and fire fighting gear waded out to the burning boat with ladders and hoses after they were summoned just before 3 a.m.. Foam used to extinguish the fire proved ineffective against the vast quantities of diesel fuel on board that continued to re-ignite, frustrating attempts to dampen the flames, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Finally the fire was left to burn itself out because of the potential hazardous impact on the environment of escaping fuel while the boat came to rest on rocks near Blue Hole Hill.

"It was a bit of an ordeal. It was a difficult fire to fight,'' the spokesman said.

Police said foul play has not been ruled out and investigators are appealing for assistance in identifying a white male observed at the scene in a pale blue kayak with a red stripe on the side.

Yesterday, the boat's owner of Miranda fisherman Captain David DeSilva could not be reached for comment.

"He is upset,'' said fellow fisherman Captain Alan Card. "He has just lost his entire livelihood.'' Anyone with information should contact P.c. Reggie Horseman at 299-4585.

BURNT OUT -- Charter fishing boat Miranda was a charred wreck by Saturday morning after an explosion gutted the entire vessel leaving just the hull and part of the deck. Police have not ruled out arson.