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Good Samaritan Rescues Hudson River Boaters As Yacht Goes Down In Smoke

A good Samaritan rescued a group of boaters whose yacht caught fire and sank in the Hudson River on Saturday.

Black smoke turns gray as fire boats on the Hudson River begin spraying the yacht.

Black smoke turns gray as fire boats on the Hudson River begin spraying the yacht.

Photo Credit: James Tracy for DAILY VOICE

James Tracy shot this video from behind City Place in Edgewater.

Photo Credit: James Tracy for DAILY VOICE

All eight quickly got to safety as North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue boats moved in and began spraying the 48-foot vessel around 3:30 p.m., responders and witnesses said.

The bulk of the blaze was in the boat's sleeping quarters, "which makes it difficult to extinguish," NHRFR Capt. Jason Hodge said.

Onlookers gathered on either side of the Hudson between Edgewater and 72nd Street.

Leisure rubbernecking boats and jet skiers surrounded the scene and passengers aboard a passing ferry had a bird's eye view as the yacht went under.

The U.S. Coast Guard, New York City Fire Department boats and an NYPD rescue boat also responded.

Determining what happened will be tough with the boat at the bottom of the river. Authorities moored a small buoy to mark the spot.

The Coast Guard said it will also monitor the river for pollution.

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