Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and one California woman set out to prove it this month. Nicole MacDonald, from Newport Beach, California, is accused of setting fire to a boat at the Lido Peninsula Marina off Channel Road. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze, but not until it had damaged two docks near the boat and additional boats net to those docks. Within a few minutes, the twenty firefighters on the scene had the fire under control and were able to get it put out.

Altogether there were two separate fireboats, as well as six deputies from the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol that helped to put out the blaze. No one was hurt in the fire.

The authorities that responded, including police and firefighters, believe that the boat fire caused more than $150,000 worth of damage altogether. It isn’t known if the owner had boat insurance, or if his policy would cover the boat in the event of arson.

MacDonald was arrested the day of the fire. According to the police report, MacDonald made threats that day to her boyfriend and the boat’s owner, Ian Prider. The report indicates that she was wielding a knife. Prider was apparently able to get the knife out of her hand and headed off to call the Newport Beach Police Department. While he was making the phone call, the woman is believed to have set fire to the boat.

The woman was arrested based on the suspicion of a number of different crimes, including driving under the influence, assault with a deadly weapon, arson and even child endangerment. The child endangerment charge rises from the fact that, when police finally found MacDonald, her son was in the back seat of her car. The child, a 10 year-old boy, has been placed in child protective services while MacDonald currently is in custody. Bail has been set at $250,000.

Now, if a fire breaks out on your boat, there are some things you should do. If there’s not a crazy woman wielding a knife on board who set the fire, here are some steps to get you through it:

1. Contact the coast guard immediately if you’re on the water. If you’re moored, call 911.
2. Alert nearby craft, and avoid them if possible.
3. If the fire is relatively small, you can try to put it out yourself. Don’t be  a hero, of course, and know when it’s too dangerous to battle.
4. Don your life jacket, and have the crew do the same.
5. If at all possible, try to isolate your boat fuel and natural gas, if you’re using it.

If you want to make sure your boating investment is save, make sure to get a boat insurance policy today.