The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 49 passengers and crew members Wednesday afternoon from a whale watching tour boat that began filling with smoke near Newport, Oregon.
The captain of the 62-foot vessel Discovery issued a mayday call when smoke started pouring from the boat near the Yaquina Bay jetties. The emergency prompted a multi-boat Coast Guard response to safely evacuate all aboard.
“We initially launched one boat, and then once we received a little bit more information about the nature of the situation, we opted to launch two boats just due to the number of people on board,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Boran, explaining the decision to prepare for a full passenger evacuation.
When rescue crews arrived at the scene, they observed heavy smoke emanating from the vessel but no visible flames. Coast Guard personnel successfully towed the disabled boat back to shore without incident.
All 49 people aboard escaped injury during the emergency evacuation, according to officials.
Fran Mathews, owner of Marine Discovery Tours, identified the cause as an exhaust system failure that filled the engine room with dangerous fumes. The mechanical malfunction created the smoke condition that prompted the emergency response.
“The problem has been fixed and the vessel is ready to launch again,” Mathews stated in an email, indicating the tour company has addressed the mechanical issue.
The incident demonstrates the effectiveness of maritime safety protocols and Coast Guard response capabilities along the Oregon coast. Whale watching tours operate regularly in the area during migration seasons, making emergency preparedness essential for passenger safety.
The Yaquina Bay area near Newport serves as a popular departure point for marine wildlife tours, with vessels regularly transiting the jetties to reach offshore whale watching locations.
Coast Guard officials emphasized the importance of proper vessel maintenance and emergency procedures for commercial tour operators carrying passengers in coastal waters.
