A WHITSUNDAY father is in hospital in Brisbane after being seriously burnt in a fire on a boat near Shute Harbour.

David Andersen, 40, received burns to 80-90 percent of his body.

Mr Andersen's wife, Simone, and two sons have flown to Brisbane to be by his side at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Emergency services were called to Shute Harbour at 8.10am on Tuesday.

A Whitsunday Water Police spokesman said Mr Andersen, believed to be the owner of the 12m motorboat, had jumped from the vessel and been rescued by another boat from Hamilton Island.

He said it was believed the boat was about to head to Long Island when the fire broke out.

Whitsunday Water Police officer-in-charge Sergeant Graeme Pettigrew said Mr Andersen was "terrifically burned" and there was nothing else for the rescue boat to do but get him to shore.

"All boat operators on the water have an obligation to another boat in distress, but obviously (the rescuer has) done a great job of getting to him and getting him out of the water and to first aid," Sgt Pettigrew said.

Airlie Beach Fire Station officer Kevin Tomas said firefighters arrived at Shute Harbour marina to find crew from a charter boat giving first aid.

Mr Tomas praised their efforts.

"I don't know the name of the tourist boat that was there, but they did a remarkable job administering first aid to the casualty," he said.

Proserpine Ambulance Station officer-in-charge Gavin Cousens said when paramedics arrived on the scene, the fire crew was keeping the patient cool with water.

"The gentleman was conscious upon our arrival, suffering life-threatening burns to approximately 80-90 percent of his body," Mr Cousens said.

"He was taken to Proserpine Hospital, stabilised, and directly flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital."

Mr Cousens said while he didn't know exactly what happened on Mr Andersen's boat, it appeared some sort of petrol explosion had occurred.

Whitsunday Water Police took the fire crew out to the southern entrance of Shute Harbour, where they found the boat "well engulfed" in flames.

The blaze was brought under control by 9am.

Mr Andersen's wife, Simone, works at Air Whitsunday, which has set up a special bank account where residents can donate to help cover the family's medical costs and

expenses.

Money can be put into Commonwealth Bank account number 23553536, BSB number 062692.

A fundraiser for Mr Andersen has also been organised. It will take place at Banjos at 6pm on Friday, April 17.

For more information, head online to http://www.facebook.com/whatadifferenceadavemakesfundraiser.