Whale watching boat fills with smoke, towed to safety off Newport coast

Sep 19, 2025, 7:15 PM

The U.S. Coast Guard is seen in the Puget Sound on June 18, 2015. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)

(Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)

MyNorthwest.com

A whale watching excursion off the coast near Newport, Oregon took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when the tour vessel began to smoke.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported the 62-foot boat was near the Yaquina Bay jetties when the captain made a mayday call, according to KOMO News.

Smoking whale watching boat towed near Newport

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Boran said the Coast Guard initially only sent one response boat, but quickly launched a second after learning more about the situation.

Rescue teams arrived to find the vessel filled with smoke, but no visible flames.

The boat was safely towed back to shore by the Coast Guard. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the smoke. No injuries were reported.

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