VIDEO
Whale lands on boat off New Hampshire coast throwing people into ocean
RYE, N.H. — A humpback whale breached and landed on a fishing boat off the coast of New Hampshire on Tuesday morning, throwing two men into the ocean. The incident, which occurred near Odiorne Point State Park, was captured on video by nearby boaters and has since gone viral.
The two fishermen, identified as Greg Paquette and Ryland Kenney, were aboard their 23-foot center console boat when the whale unexpectedly surfaced and crashed onto their vessel. The force of the impact capsized the boat, sending both men into the water.
The U.S. Coast Guard received an emergency distress call shortly after the incident. According to their reports, the whale's breach caused the boat to overturn, ejecting the occupants into the sea. The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched a team from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor.
Fortunately, the fishermen were quickly rescued by nearby boaters, including teenage brothers Wyatt Yager, 19, and Colin Yager, 16, from Eliot, Maine. The brothers were fishing in the vicinity and witnessed the entire event. Colin Yager managed to capture the whale's breach on video, which shows the massive animal propelling out of the water and landing on the boat.
"We saw the whale come up and just thought, 'Oh no, it's going to hit the boat!' Then it flipped," Wyatt Yager recounted. The brothers immediately rushed to help the distressed fishermen, pulling them out of the water within minutes. "I was just in shock. Everyone else had the same reaction and tried to get over to those people," Wyatt added. "It was like, 'Oh shoot,' and then, 'We've got to go help these people.' All the boats dropped what they were doing to go over to help them."
Greg Paquette and Ryland Kenney, who were thrown overboard, expressed their gratitude towards their rescuers. "We're glad they took such quick action," Paquette said. "They didn't even think about it. We're really grateful to both of them." Kenney described the moment of impact, saying, "I heard a big crackle. When that happened … the bow tipped up and I went to the left and as the boat was rolling over I kind of jumped off horizontally to avoid the whale and the boat."
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that neither of the fishermen sustained injuries, and the whale also appeared to be unharmed. The boat was later recovered, and the incident was reported to the Center for Coastal Studies' marine animal hotline as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Whales are a common sight in New Hampshire waters, particularly between June and August, as they migrate through the area. However, such close encounters with boats are rare. The Coast Guard emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from marine wildlife to avoid similar incidents.
The video of the breach, which has been widely shared on social media, has drawn significant attention and serves as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature. The footage shows the whale's mouth closing as it lands on the boat, causing it to capsize and sending the fishermen into the water.
"It's been an emotional day," Paquette reflected. "At first, there was a lot of energy and adrenaline. After that, once the adrenaline went through, we just became very tired."
The incident underscores the need for vigilance and respect for marine life, especially in areas where human activities intersect with wildlife habitats. The quick response and bravery of the Yager brothers, along with the coordinated efforts of the Coast Guard and other boaters, ensured a safe outcome for all involved.
As the summer continues, authorities remind boaters to stay alert and follow guidelines to protect both themselves and the incredible marine creatures that inhabit these waters.