Boat Catches Fire, Sinks off Catalina Island

A 40-foot boat caught fire and ultimately sank off the coast of Catalina Island today, but the two people aboard managed to escape.

The fire aboard the Real Joy was reported at about 10:30 a.m. roughly four miles north of Avalon Harbor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Two people aboard the ship escaped on a dinghy.

The boat ultimately sank in 2,400 feet of water, Coast Guard officials said. The two passengers were taken aboard a USCG vessel and were not injured.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

--City News Service