SPRING LAKE, MI (WHTC) – A boat fire at Barrett Boat Works has claimed the life of one person on Sunday, May 8, in Spring Lake Village.
According to Sgt. Cal Kuening of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, just after 5:15 a.m. Sunday, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office along with the Spring Lake, Crockery and Ferrysburg fire departments were dispatched to a boat fire at Barrett Boat Works, 821 Savage St. in Spring Lake Village.
Arriving units found the boat to be fully involved in fire. After the fire was extinguished the boat sank in the boat slip. Through investigation, fire and police personnel were advised the boat was possibly occupied. Tow Boat U.S. responded to the scene to assist in raising the boat to the surface. The coast guard also responded in reference to the fuel and oil leak, according to the release. Measures were put in place to contain the fuel and oil spill, keeping it contained in the boat slip area.
Tow Boat U.S. was able to raise the boat and tow it to a nearby slip to remove the boat out of the water for further investigation with assistance from staff from Barrett Boat Works.
Sgt. Kuening says through investigation a subject was found to be deceased on the boat. At this time the subject’s names is not being released. At this time the incident is still under investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Spring Lake Fire Department.
Officials suspect the victim may have been the boat’s owner, Grand Rapids Firefighter Dave Knisley. It was not unusual for him to stay overnight on board, while it’s docked at Barrett Boat Works.
Agencies assisting at the scene were the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office road patrol and marine division, as well as the Spring Lake Fire Department, Crockery Fire Department and Ferrysburg Fire Department, Tow Boat U.S. and U.S. Coast Guard.
