A Coast Guard crew rescued three men unharmed from a burning 48-foot sport fishing yacht in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, snuffing the blaze and towing the vessel a short distance before it reflashed and sank, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

The blaze 5 miles east of Port Angeles on the power-driven recreational vessel R & D was reported at 5:53 p.m. Tuesday, said Petty Officer Michael Clark of 13th District headquarters in Seattle.

The man on board who reported the fire to Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound had to use a cellphone after the yacht lost power, Clark said.