3 people, 2 dogs rescued after jumping from a burning 70-foot yacht
NEW CASTLE, NH – Three people and two dogs escape from one The yacht is 70 feet long and saved by a good Samaritan on another private boat before emergency crews arrived off the New Hampshire coast on Saturday.
“Whatever happened on the boat happened quickly, and they had to jump into the water,” Portsmouth Fire Chief Todd Germain said. The 2007 Marlow yacht incident known as “Elusive”, began near Fort Stark, he say. It was reported around 4:22 pm
The trio suffered minor injuries and mild hypothermia and were transported to Wentworth Marina, where they were treated by first responders from the New Castle Fire Department and taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, according to the sheriff. The New Hampshire Maritime Patrol said two adults, ages 67 and 57, both from New Canaan, Connecticut and a 33-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, had been treated and released.
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Marine Patrol reported “one passenger noticed black smoke below deck” and “within minutes the boat was completely engulfed in smoke” prompting three people and two family dogs to jump over the ship. Two dogs were also rescued, according to Amber Lagace, a spokeswoman for Marine Patrol.
The billowing smoke from the yacht could be seen in the distance. The Marlow yacht drifted and sank in the waters of Maine, according to Germain. Marine Patrol reports that multiple agencies tried to save the boat before it sank.
Germain said the five-man crew from the city Fire Department’s Marine 1 fireboat were the first to arrive after the fire was reported. He added that fireboats from Newington and Salisbury, Massachusetts, had also been called to help. Rye Fire Service sent a jet ski to assist, according to Germain.
The Coast Guard responded, with their crews working to navigate other boats away from the fire, according to Petty 3rd Class Officer Emma Fliszar.
Germain said the cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Fliszar said the Coast Guard is concerned about fuel contamination and is investigating. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services responded as did the owner of the Kitty harbor.
On Sunday, the Coast Guard and environmental services officers closely monitored the area where the boat sank. Fliszar said on Sunday morning it was not immediately known whether fuel was still in the yacht or if there had been a leak.
Legace on Sunday said one of the Marines Patrol officers spoke to the couple who owned the yacht.
“They’re doing well physically, but mentally they’re still trying to process things,” she said. “Their dogs (gold doodles) are doing well. This boat is their home.”
Anyone who has been a witness or has information is asked by the New Hampshire State Police to contact Marine Patrol Sgt. Stephen O’Connor at Stephen.J.O’[email protected] or 603-227-2117.
Karen Dandurant contributed to this report.