(Picture by Adrian Miller)

A GROUP of men rescued after their boat caught fire have been labelled irresponsible.

About 10 were rescued from the burning vessel by a fishing boat returning to shore at Bordeaux at around 5.45pm on Saturday.

It is understood they had been in Sark all day and police were called as a crowd gathered to watch the blaze – believed to have been caused by an engine fault.

Harbour master Peter Gill, who was at the scene, said it was clear that the men had been drinking and warned other boaters against doing the same.

‘A couple of them were threatening the police and general public as they came ashore – it was not very pleasant,’ he said.

‘This weekend was the best we have had in terms of weather and we had quite a number of what I would call reported acts of stupidity. I’m disappointed.

‘Drinking and boats do not mix. If people feel they have to drink to have a good time they should not get in their boat afterwards.’

Casual fisherman Stephen de Carteret, 41, was on hand to rescue the men but admitted it was not an easy job.

‘I took about seven or eight of them first time out,’ he said. ‘But one of them didn’t want to come with me. He got into my boat and then jumped back onto theirs. I think he was drunk.

‘I took them back to shore and then had to go back for the bloke who wouldn’t come with me the first time, which I was not too happy about.’