Man escapes without injury after boat catches fire, sinks in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay

A man has been rescued from a burning boat in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay less than an hour before it sank.

The boat went up in flames about 11.40am on Thursday as beachgoers witnessed a large mass of black smoke in the distance.

Police have confirmed one person was on board the 12m boat when it caught on fire off Chelsea Beach.

Occupants from a nearby boat brought the man to shore where he was checked by paramedics.

Police said he has “no injuries”.

Firefighters battled the flame from the water, before the vessel became fully submerged about 12.30pm – just 50 minutes after it caught on fire.

Water police remain at the scene.

More to come