A fisherman was rescued Sunday after a fire engulfed his commercial fishing vessel about 100 miles west of Clearwater, Fla.

The Coast Guard said its Southeast District watchstanders received an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation at 3:27 p.m. and coordinated the launch of a Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew. 

The fisherman had abandoned the burning vessel and was found in a life raft nearby in 2- to 4-foot seas with 14-knot winds. The Coast Guard deployed a rescue swimmer and hoisted the fisherman to safety at about 5:46 p.m. The fisherman was reported to be in stable condition and did not require medical attention.

“The boater was able to quickly deploy a life raft and abandon their burning vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaiah Andrews, a search and rescue controller at Southeast District command center. “Through quick actions and the utilization of an emergency position indicating radio beacon our aircrew was able to narrow the search area for a timely rescue.” 

Details about the fire-stricken vessel were not immediately available. The cause of the vessel fire is under investigation.

The Coast Guard said its Southeast District watchstanders continuously monitor the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking system and coordinate with partner agencies to respond to emergencies.