Two fishermen had a harrowing experience Tuesday when a whale surfaced beneath their boat, causing it to capsize off the coast of New Hampshire, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.
The incident took place near Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. The fishermen, who were thrown into the water, had spotted the whale earlier and were trying to maintain a safe distance.
“We saw it go under, it disappeared for a few minutes, and then suddenly it popped up right by our transom,” Ryland Kenney told WMUR-TV.
The Coast Guard received a mayday call reporting that a 23-foot (7-meter) center console boat had overturned after coming into contact with the whale.
“Both occupants were thrown overboard when the boat capsized,” the Coast Guard announced. An urgent marine broadcast was issued, and the Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor was alerted.
Fortunately, a nearby boater rescued both fishermen from the water. No injuries were reported.
The rescuers were two young brothers.
“I saw it come up, and I thought, ‘Oh, it’s going to hit the boat,’” recounted Wyatt Yager. “And then it started to flip,” added his brother, Colin Yager, who captured the incident on his phone.