- Man was seen swimming from one boat toward another unoccupied boat
- He got on to the unoccupied boat and jumped into the water after an explosion
- The explosion happened on Australia Day on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
- Police spoke to the passing boat driver who took the man to shore
- Police say exact circumstances surrounding the explosion are still unknown
- Man described as Caucasian, aged 30-35, tattoos and had a large head cut
Victoria Police want to track down an arsonist who jumped into the water moments before a boat erupted into flames in front of hundreds of beach goers on Australia Day.
9 News has released video captured from its helicopter of the dramatic moment the unoccupied vessel was engulfed in flames at Blairgowrie Yacht Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Police a said a man was seen swimming from one boat toward another unoccupied boat moored at the Blairgowrie Yacht Club at about 3.45pm on Friday.
A boat was destroyed when it was engulfed in flames on Australia Day on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Victoria Police want to track down an arsonist who jumped into the water moments before
‘The man got on to the unoccupied boat, an explosion occurred and he jumped off into the water,’ a police statement released on Sunday said.
‘The man was collected from the water by a passing boat which then dropped him back to shore at Sorrento.
A heavily tattooed man was seen on the boat who jumped into the water before it was engulfed in flames. He was taken to shore by a passing boatie
Police said they were yet to speak to the man but have spoken to the driver of the boat that took him to shore.
The man is described as Caucasian, aged 30-35, shaved head with a sandy-coloured two day growth.
The exact circumstances surrounding the explosion are still unknown and the investigation is ongoing, with police searching for the heavily tattooed man
He had several tattoos including words tattooed across his chest and was wearing torn denim jeans and had a large cut to his head.
The exact circumstances surrounding the explosion are still unknown and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.