Man safe after explosion on his boat near Masonboro Inlet

A boater is safe after an explosion forced him to abandon ship.

Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island Coast Guard rescued the man about 20 nautical miles from the Masonboro Inlet. The call came in around 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

He reported the explosion on board his fishing boat, which forced him to use his life raft. Another boater picked up the stranded captain.

EMS treated the man for minor burns on his hands.