Marlow: Burnt cabin cruiser rescued from River Thames

Bucks Fire and Rescue were called to the blaze on Marlow Bridge Lane, close to the suspension bridge, in the early hours of December 31, 2020.

After weeks of being submerged in the River Thames in Marlow, it was at last hauled from the water at around midday on Tuesday, January 26.

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The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

PICTURED: People in diving suits and overalls work to load the boat onto a trailer

Dennis Staples and his wife saw the vessel being pulled from the water and said the damage inside was significant.

“We noticed under the bridge divers in the water,” he said. “We could see orange ballast bags to float the boat.

“I couldn’t go too near, but the boat was quite heavily burnt and melted and black inside.

“It was quite interesting to see the operation go ahead.”

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He added: “There is conjecture whether it was arson. It was decorated with fairy lights so there is also conjecture that an electrical fuse could have shorted.”

PICTURED: Success. The once sunken vessel is loaded and ready to go

Until it was retrieved, Mr Staples said part of the boat could still be seen point up through the water depending on the tide. The rest was submerged.

“Waste of a nice vessel,” one person commented online.

Images show the cabin cruiser being loaded onto a trailer by divers and people in high-visibility overalls.

Thames Valley Police were approached for comment.

Images courtesy of Dennis Staples

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