CHATHAM, Mass. --
Coast Guard crews were called to rescue 11 people Friday night off the coast of Chatham after a 44-foot yacht caught fire.
Crews were notified by a 911 call around 11:35 p.m. indicating the Hyannis Port-based yacht Bronze Monkey was on fire 3 miles south of Wychmere Harbor.
"When we arrived on scene, we could see the boat was engulfed in smoke," said Petty Officer First Class Matthew Hussey. "As we got closer, we could see flames and everyone on the bow."
All the life jackets and signaling devices were trapped in the cabin, which was engulfed in flames, said Hussey.
"It's good we got there when we did," Hussey said. "Some of the passengers couldn't swim and about two or three minutes after we pulled everyone off the boat it was fully engulfed in flames."
Harwich Fire Department crew members were also called in to help fight the blaze.
Coast Guard crews transported the 11 people to Wychmere Harbor, where they were checked out by EMS. No injuries were reported.
The vessel sank in about 22 feet of water, causing a minor sheen and debris field.
The captain of the Bronze Monkey said the fire began in the engine room and believed it was caused by an electrical malfunction.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
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