Cynthia Sullivan Died After Boat Caught Fire and Capsized near Naushon Island

NAUSHON ISLAND, MASSACHUSETTS (November 11, 2025) – A grandmother identified as Cynthia Sullivan tragically died, and two other people were injured, after their boat caught fire near Naushon Island.

Dukes County officials are stating that the accident occurred on October 22, when Cynthia Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, and their son, Tyler Sullivan, spent nearly two days on Naushon Island after their boat caught fire.

They abandoned their boat after it caught fire and capsized, leading all three to sustain serious burns from the accident.

After making it to shore on Naushon Island, the family took shelter in a barn before the Coast Guard rescued them. Cynthia Sullivan was then taken to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment.

Tragically, Cynthia Sullivan later died due to the severity of her injuries. Patrick Sullivan is now breathing on his own at the hospital, according to family members.

Tyler Sullivan was listed in stable condition after the rescue. According to his brother Christopher, Tyler saved both of their parents from the fire.

You can help support the family through a GoFundMe campaign. According to the online fundraiser, “On the early hours of October 21st, 2025, Cici Sullivan, Tyler Sullivan, and Patrick Sullivan were asleep aboard their vessel, The Third Wave, when they were awakened by the sound of their dogs barking, and by fire and smoke. Tyler acted heroically, assisting his parents as they swam toward the shoreline.”

Liability for Dukes County Boat Fires

Companies that create boats have a legal obligation to ensure that those vessels are reasonably safe. They must consider all the ways their product could be used and potentially misused. If a boat has a design defect that makes it likely to catch fire, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. Many types of defects in particular could potentially cause a boat to catch fire.

• Faulty Alternator or Inverters: A boat may have worn bearings or diodes that could potentially overheat and ignite fuel vapors.

• Fuel System Defects: Any type of leak within the gas tank on a boat could potentially allow fuel to accumulate into the bilge.
• Lithium-Ion Battery Failures: Material defects with the lithium-ion batteries inside of a boat could lead to thermal runway and the accumulation of heat near sensitive areas like the engine.
• Improper Insulation: A boat engine may lack insufficient insulation or flooring that fails to meet fire resistance standards.

A number of product liability claims have been pursued after people were injured when boats caught fire. Consider, for example, Wood v. Marina (2006). A person was injured after their 28-foot yacht exploded not long after refueling. Gasoline vapors accumulated near the engine compartment, thus causing the explosion. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the explosion was the result of a defective 250 CFM ventilation blower. These devices are designed to remove gas vapors from the boat’s engine by drawing in fresh air.

Steps to Take After Massachusetts Boat Fires

Boat fires may seem like a freak occurrence. But these types of accidents are unfortunately all too common. According to Yachting Monthly, “on average, there are 89 fire-related accidents each year on privately owned boats and three fatalities. Further research indicates that many of these are petrol fires on motorboats, but negligence can be fatal.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any boat fire.

• Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Even seemingly minor injuries can substantially worsen with time and a lack of treatment.
• Document Evidence: All of the evidence related to the incident should be preserved. This includes the wreckage of the boat if it is still available. If possible, photos of the accident site should be taken.
• Report: The accident should be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard so that they can begin an investigation.
• Liability Considerations: Victims of the accident should seek the guidance of a team with ample experience handling product liability claims. They can identify all potentially liable parties and help determine what went wrong.

Boat fires are typically preventable. These incidents may involve defective engines, batteries, or ventilation blowers. Assessing how an accident took place can shed a great deal of light on what entity may be legally responsible. It is also important for victims to recognize that they’re protected by several laws. In particular, the family of any person who lost someone in a boating accident may be able to seek some measure of justice and accountability through a civil action.

Investigating Massachusetts Boating Accidents

We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Cynthia Sullivan. It is our sincere hope that Patrick Sullivan and Tyler Sullivan will make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be averted. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. Was the boat involved in any recall list? Did this boat have a ventilation blower? If so, was it functioning properly?

If you need support or information after a Massachusetts boat accident, our team of consumer safety advocates is here for you. We encourage you to reach out with your questions, seek guidance regarding your rights, or request a thorough investigation. Your safety and pursuit of justice matter, and we are committed to assisting you every step of the way.

Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.