A whale strike caused catastrophic damage to a New Jersey fire department boat, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel as it returned from a July 4 marine security detail in New York Harbor. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Friday near the mouth of Raritan Bay.
Marine Unit 2 of the Carteret Fire Department was operating in the New York/New Jersey Port area assisting with a regional special operations marine security detail when a whale surfaced beneath the stern of the boat. The impact immediately caused the vessel to take on water, giving the firefighters aboard only seconds to evacuate.
All firefighters escaped the sinking boat without injury. A nearby jet ski operator and another boater rendered immediate assistance before members of the Perth Amboy Fire Department's marine unit arrived and helped in the rescue of the crew from the water. A recreational vessel reportedly observed multiple whales breaching before and after the collision.
Mayor Dan Reiman called the event a "harrowing experience," confirming the whale struck the vessel beneath its stern and caused significant damage. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under review, and officials stated that additional information would be released as it becomes available.
The Carteret Fire Department noted that while its marine unit regularly trains for water rescues and marine emergencies, an event of this nature was unexpected. The department expressed gratitude that all personnel returned home safely. Officials have not identified the species of whale involved, nor is it clear if the animal was injured.
The department also used the incident to remind boaters, jet ski operators, and kayakers of the importance of wearing properly fitted life jackets, emphasizing that all firefighters aboard the damaged vessel were wearing them at the time of the strike.
