The Carteret Fire Department's Marine Unit 2 was involved in a harrowing incident on Friday when a surfacing whale struck the vessel as it returned from a marine security assignment in New York Harbor. The boat was returning to Carteret waters around 4:30 p.m. Friday after assisting with a regional special operations marine security detail in the New York/New Jersey Port area.
As Marine Unit 2 approached the mouth of Raritan Bay, a whale breached beneath the vessel's stern, causing catastrophic damage and forcing the firefighters to abandon the boat. The whale strike caused the vessel to take on water immediately, giving the crew only seconds to escape. Fortunately, all firefighters aboard escaped without injury.
A nearby recreational jet ski operator and another boater 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 witness reported seeing multiple whales breaching before and after the collision, highlighting the unpredictability of marine life in the area.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under review, and officials will release additional information as it becomes available. The Carteret Fire Department used the incident as a reminder to boaters, jet ski operators, and kayakers to wear properly fitted life jackets, noting that every firefighter on board was wearing one when the boat was damaged.
The department emphasized that while they regularly train to rescue civilians from the water and respond to marine emergencies, fires, and vehicle incidents, events like this are unpredictable and can leave those involved shaken. Fortunately, everyone involved returned home safely to their families, and the department is grateful for that outcome.
