Whale Capsizes Boat Off Rye, NH

Moment humpback whale strikes fishing boat.

Odiornes Point

Humpback whales have been reported very close to the coast of New Hampshire in recent days as they feed on schools of menhaden. Unfortunately for recreational fishermen Greg Paquette and Ryland Kenney, one of the massive marine mammals decided to breach next to their 23-foot center console. The whale landed on the stern of the boat, causing it to capsize and sending the two men into the water at around 7:00 a.m.

Fortunately, several other anglers were also fishing in the area off Odiornes Point, just south of the Piscataqua River mouth, and witnessed the event. Brothers Wyatt Yager, 19, and Colin Yager, 16, of Eliot, Maine, immediately responded and helped Paquette and Kenney, who were wearing PFDs, into their boat. Both men were apparently shaken but unharmed.

Video courtesy WFAA 8 via Colin Yager.