Whale Strikes New Jersey Fire Department Boat

A whale collided with a boat from the New Jersey State Fire Department on Friday, prompting firefighters to abandon ship while returning from a Fourth of July patrol in New York Harbor.

Officials reported that the 2nd Marine Corps unit was heading back to Carteret at around 4:30 p.m. after assisting the Regional Special Operations Maritime Security Forces in the New York/New Jersey port region. At that point, a whale surfaced under the stern of the vessel near the entrance of Raritan Bay.

The impact was severe, leading to substantial damage and causing the boat to take on water rapidly. Firefighters had mere moments to evacuate before the situation escalated, according to reports.

Thankfully, all crew members made it out safely. Nearby, a recreational jet ski rider and another boater quickly came to help, pulling firefighters from the water until members of the Perth Amboy Fire Department’s marine unit arrived.

The Carteret Fire Department noted that another boat in the area had reported seeing multiple whales breaching both before and after the collision.

This incident is currently being investigated, with officials promising more updates as they come. Mayor Dan Lyman referred to the event as a “horrific experience,” highlighting the sudden nature of the whale surfacing and crashing into the boat.

While it’s not entirely clear what type of whale was involved or if it sustained any injuries, the fire department has used this situation as a reminder for passengers on boats, jet skis, and kayaks to always wear properly fitted life jackets. It’s worth noting that all firefighters on board were wearing theirs when the accident occurred.

As they reflect on this unexpected event, the fire department expressed gratitude that everyone involved returned safely to their families, despite the unsettling nature of the incident. They regularly train for emergencies on the water, but this kind of encounter was not something they anticipated.