An overheated engine looks to be responsible for students being rescued from a charter boat off Queenscliff.
More than 20 people, including school students, were taken off the Sea All Dolphin Swims vessel on Thursday morning, following initial reports of a possible fire.
A Searoad ferry was on scene within 10 minutes, after taking a detour from its normal route between Sorrento and Queenscliff.
The passengers were safely evacuated from the boat to the ferry.
Searoad Ferries CEO Matt McDonald said vessel continued to Queenscliff where the children were safely taken to the ferry terminal.
James Murphy from Sea All Dolphins took to social media on Thursday evening, saying the CFA and water police looked over the vessel after it was brought back to shore.
“They told us they didn’t see any evidence of a fire,” he said.
“At this point it’s looking like it may have been the engine overheated, which caused some of the engine oil to burn and then create that smoke.
“I can report everyone is a-ok.”
James said they were waiting for the boat to be cleared by AMSA before taking it back out onto the water.
Searoad Ferries continued their normal timetable after the excitement of the day.
