An onlooker to a boat fire in the Bay of Islands says the launch was engulfed in flames within minutes.
Emergency services were called to the blaze just off Moturua Island at about 1pm on Boxing Day.
Fire and Emergency says no one was on board at the time.
![The boat caught fire off Moturura Island yesterday and was engulfed in minutes. Photo / Whangaruru Volunteer Coastguard](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/KDACQOYUOBBXTSCVL74YG4LFTU.jpg?auth=faa2f3db2ecd8defcecfe1e43b113648a2ae1ea3e46c18779e3ee23b0d408b4c&width=16&height=14&quality=70&smart=true)
Lewis Hudson was on a boat nearby, and said he could see thick black smoke pouring out.