A surfacing whale “violently” hit a fire department marine security boat in New Jersey over the weekend, causing “catastrophic damage” to the boat but thankfully no injuries, officials say.
Authorities say the Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit 2 was conducting a regional special operations marine security detail for the New York/New Jersey Port area around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when the whale struck.
The giant mammal breached the water south of the Arthur Kill, at the mouth of the Raritan Bay, and hit the boat. The vessel immediately started to take on water. Firefighters had seconds to abandon it, officials said.
No injuries were reported.
Officials in Carteret say a nearby recreational vessel had reported seeing a pod of whales breaching the water before and after the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
“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 Carteret Fire Department said in a statement. “Understandably, it has left those involved shaken, but we are incredibly thankful that everyone returned home safely to their families.”
“This incident also serves as an important reminder of the value of wearing a properly fitted life jacket. Every member aboard was wearing the required personal flotation device, which played a critical role in keeping them safe until rescuers arrived,” the statement continued.
