In a dramatic turn of events, a surfacing whale collided with a boat belonging to a New Jersey fire department, prompting the firefighters onboard to hastily vacate the vessel on Friday. The daring incident unfolded as they were making their return from a July 4th marine security mission in New York Harbor, authorities reported.
The Carteret Fire Department noted that Marine Unit 2 was navigating back to its home waters in Carteret around 4:30 p.m. on Friday. This followed a collaborative security operation spanning the New York/New Jersey Port area when a whale unexpectedly breached, striking the stern near the entrance of Raritan Bay.
Officials detailed that the impact from the marine giant inflicted severe structural damage on the boat, causing it to rapidly take on water. With only moments to act, the firefighters had no choice but to abandon ship.
Before the incident, the Carteret Emergency Services’ Marine Unit 2 is pictured safely docked, unaware of the impending encounter with a surfacing whale at the mouth of Raritan Bay on July 4, which led to its forced evacuation. (Carteret Fire Department & EMS Division)
Thankfully, the department confirmed that all firefighters involved in the mishap managed to escape unharmed, underscoring the fortunate outcome of an otherwise precarious situation.
Officials said a nearby recreational jet ski operator and another boater immediately came to the firefighters’ aid before members of the Perth Amboy Fire Department’s marine unit arrived and helped rescue the crew from the water.
A nearby recreational vessel reported seeing multiple whales breaching before and after the collision, the Carteret Fire Department said.
Carteret Fire Department’s Marine Unit 2 patrols New York Harbor before a whale surfaced beneath the vessel’s stern, causing catastrophic damage, officials said. (Carteret Fire Department) (Carteret Emergency Services Marine Unit)
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review, and officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Mayor Dan Reiman described the incident as a “harrowing experience” in a public statement, saying the surfacing whale struck the vessel beneath its stern and caused catastrophic damage.
Carteret Fire Department’s Marine Unit 2 partially sinks after a whale surfaced beneath the vessel near the mouth of Raritan Bay on July 4. Nearby boaters and firefighters rescued the crew, officials said. (Carteret Fire Department)
“While the Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit regularly trains to rescue civilians from the water and respond to marine emergencies, fires, and vehicle incidents, an event of this nature is something no one anticipates,” the fire department said. “Understandably, it has left those involved shaken, but we are incredibly thankful that everyone returned home safely to their families.”
The department used the incident to remind boaters, jet ski operators and kayakers to wear properly fitted life jackets, noting that every firefighter aboard was wearing one when the boat was damaged.
Officials have not identified the species of whale involved. It was not clear whether the animal was injured.