Three people, two dogs jump overboard as yacht burns and sinks

Three people and two dogs jumped out of a 72-foot yacht to save their lives after the vessel became engulfed in flames in New Hampshire. 

The passengers, identified as Arthur Watson, 67, and Diane Watson, 57, both of New Canaan, Connecticut, and Jarrod Tubbs, 33, of Jupiter, Florida jumped overboard and were rescued by boats. 

They were taken to Portsmouth Hospital, treated and discharged. 

The vessel, the Elusive, was on the Piscataqua River heading toward a marina in New Castle around 4 p.m. Saturday when a passenger noticed black smoke below deck, the New Hampshire Department of Safety said in a statement.

Despite efforts to save the yacht, it drifted into Maine waters and eventually sank about two hours after the 911 initial call, authorities said. 

The Coast Guard and the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol posted photos of the flames and thick black smoke pouring from the vessel.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.  

This image provided by New Hampshire State Police shows a yacht burning on the Piscataqua River in New Castle, N.H., Saturday, June 18, 2022. (New Hampshire State Police via AP)

Diane Watson, 57, (left) of New Canaan, Connecticut, and Jarrod Tubbs, 33, (right( of Jupiter, Florida jumped overboard and were rescued by boats.

Commander Arthur Watson and two family dogs also jumped overboard and were rescued by boats in the area 

According to New Hampshire Police, reports were made about a boat on fire on the Piscataqua River, near Little Harbor in Newcastle, shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday. 

Within minutes the vessel became filled with smoke and the three passengers jumped out of the boat. They were rescued by nearby boats and taken to shore. 

Attempts by the Coast Guard, Portsmouth Fire Department, Kittery Harbor Master, Newington Fire Department and other agencies to save the boat were unsuccessful.  

According to the vessel’s website, it usually departs from the Camden, Maine, sailing port every summer and cruises the coast of Maine, the Eastern Seaboard and beyond. 

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A pictured taken afar from the fire shows the smoke produced after the vessel became engulfed in flames 

This image provided by New Hampshire State Police shows a yacht burning on the Piscataqua River in New Castle, N.H., Saturday, June 18, 2022. (New Hampshire State Police via AP)

According to the vessel’s website, Diane Watson handled crew accommodation and nourishment, while Arthur Watson commanded the vessel.

The Elusive was last refitted in 2013, and pictures of its now-burned inside showed lavish rooms and decks and luxury designs. 

Diane Watson joined the team in 2007, according to the Too Elusive’s website, as an active leader. 

She handled crew accommodation and nourishment, while Arthur Watson commanded the vessel. 

Watson is a member of the Cruising Club of America and has circumnavigated the world twice.