Boat Fire on Piscataqua River

Newcastle, New Hampshire – On Saturday, June 18, 2022 just after 4 PM, NH E-911 received a call of a boat on fire on the Piscataqua River, near Little Harbor in Newcastle, NH. New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol were notified and on scene within minutes. The vessel, 'Elusive', a 70-foot 2007 Marlow, was heading toward Wentworth Marina when a passenger noticed black smoke below deck. According to passengers, within minutes the boat completely filled with smoke. Three passengers, as well as two family dogs, jumped overboard as the boat became engulfed in flames.

The three passengers:

1. Arthur Watson, age 67 New Canaan, CT
2. Diane Watson, age 57 New Canaan, CT
3. Jarrod Tubbs, age 33 of Jupiter, FL

were rescued by nearby boats and taken to shore. All three were transported to Portsmouth Hospital, where they were treated and released. 

The vessel drifted out of the harbor with the outgoing tide across the state line into Maine.  Efforts by several agencies to save the boat were unsuccessful. Within two hours of the initial call, the boat sank in waters off Kittery, ME.

Agencies assisting the New Hampshire State Police - Marine Patrol included the US Coast Guard, Portsmouth Fire Department, Kittery Harbor Master, Newington Fire Department, Salisbury, MA Fire department and Rye Fire Department. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Anyone who was a witness or has information related to this incident is encouraged to contact New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol Sergeant Stephen O'Connor at Stephen.J.O'Connor@dos.nh.gov or (603) 227-2117.