The Phuket News has not received any reports of fatalities or serious injuries among the 42 people on board the boat when the fire broke out.
Initial reports indicate that the fire started from a spark or a short circuit.
The speedboat that caught fire was recovered from Koh Lone and Koh Hei (Coral Island), only a few kilometres off Phuket’s southwest coast.
The speedboat that caught fire today is reportedly one of the Nikorn Marine tour boat fleet.
Fire gutted six Nikorn Marine speedboats tied up at Chalong in the early hours of April 19. (See story here.)
Police have dismissed arson as a possible otive for the blaze. (See story here.)
The Phuket Tourist Rescue Centre at Chalong Pier received a call from the speedboat at 11:30am asking for assistance, The Phuket News was told.
It was reported that tourists had been injured by an electrical shock or spark after a small fire broke out from a water pump. The incident happened right after the boat left Chalong Pier and was at sea between Koh Lone and Koh Hei.
Chinese tourists sitting at the back of the boat reportedly felt electrical currents coursing through their legs.
The crew on board administered first aid to those in need and contacted the Tourist Rescue Centre for help. They also quickly extinguished the small fire and ensured no spark would re-ignite the boat.
The captain brought the speedboat back to Chalong, where medical teams were waiting to transport the tourists to hospitals.
The tourists, who at worst suffered only minor injuries, were taken to Mission Hospital and Accident & Emergency Centre of the yet-to-be-completed Chalong Hospital.
The boat has full insurance coverage and police are now investigating to see what cause the fire, The Phuket News was told.