A LUXURY super yacht worth more than £4million was wrecked in a raging inferno this morning while moored off a Thai island.
Black smoke billowed from the 180ft Lady D and the Canadian captain of the ship could do nothing as the blaze roared in Phuket.
Ted Blenkers, 64, who had sailed to the area from Langkawi was left stranded when the fire began at around 8am on Wednesday.
Panicked crew members initially tried to battle the blaze themselves. But they fled to safety when the fire grew and spread rapidly through the body of the boat.
Fire fighters arrived and used hoses to battle the fire on board the yacht at the Ao Po Grand Marina.
All the staff on board at the time safely evacuated from the super yacht.
Nobody was injured. There were not believed to be any passengers on board at the time of the fire.
Firefighters, rescue workers and marine police arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control after around an hour.
The boat is listed on Fraser Yacht's website, a yacht brokerage company, although they do not own it.
Fraser Yacht's say: "Lady D was originally constructed in 1976 as a US Coast Guard Inspected, ABS Classified, and Load Lined Offshore Oilfield Supply Vessel and was reconfigured and reconstructed in 1989 as an ocean-going yacht, accommodating up to 14 guests in seven staterooms.
"She underwent recent upgrades to her mechanical systems and hull in 2005/2006. LADY D is an incredible global cruiser, with an outstanding range and exceptional levels of comfort, which has been maintained and equipped to the highest standards."
Blenkers' Linkedin states he is the captain of the Lady D and that he works for Hearts Investments Ltd, listed as the ship's owners. - DAILY MAIL