Heroic Florida Boater Saves Two as Vessel Erupts in Flames Off Coast

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In a dramatic rescue off Florida’s coast on Monday, a good Samaritan came to the aid of two boaters whose craft was consumed by fire.

Judson Grosvenor recounted to 7News Miami his discovery of the thick smoke rising near Hallandale Beach, making him the first to reach the fiery scene.

“The boat was completely engulfed when we arrived,” Grosvenor explained, describing the 35-foot vessel.

As Grosvenor hurried toward the blaze, he alerted the U.S. Coast Guard to the dire situation.

boat engulfed in orange flames as black smoke billows into sky

On Monday, November 3, 2025, two individuals were saved from a burning 35-foot boat near Hallandale Beach, Florida. (7News Miami WSVN)

Upon reaching the site, with the vessel fully ablaze, Grosvenor noticed someone in the water and swiftly helped them onto his own boat.

helicopter and rescue boats racing around the scene of a burning boat in the ocean

A good Samaritan said he spotted the smoke and called the U.S. Coast Guard as he raced his vessel to the scene of the burning boat off the coast of Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (7News Miami WSVN)

“We picked him up,” Grosvenor said. “He said there was another guy in a life jacket floating off to the north of the boat.”

Coast Guard vessels spraying burning boat with water

It was unclear how the fire started aboard the boat off the coast of Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (7News Miami WSVN)

First responders then arrived, according to Grosvenor, who said he jumped off his boat and swam into the water to find the second boater and lead the Coast Guard to him.

“He seemed very calm for someone whose boat just erupted in fire,” Grosvenor told the outlet of the second boater.

first responder vessels near charred remains of boat

U.S. Coast Guard and other first responder vessels extinguished the fire aboard the 35-foot boat off the coast of Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (7News Miami WSVN)

The two boaters were safely taken to shore, and no injuries were reported.

“Yeah, mariners look out for each other. I am sure that another boat would have come if we didn’t,” he said.

Units from Hollywood Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also responded to the fire.

Officials said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire.