‘Massive’ unidentified whale sends New Jersey fire rescue boat to the seabed in seconds

A New Jersey Fire Rescue boat is now lying on the bottom of Raritan Bay after a freak accident involving a gigantic whale.

As reported by the NY Post, Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit 2 had been called up for security duty during the 250th anniversary celebrations near the Statue of Liberty. All seemed normal and the waters were clear. Then, at around 4:30 pm the ship suddenly violently shook.

The cause was initially unknown, though the ship began taking on massive amounts of water. Fire officials say the Carteret Fire Department members on board had “only seconds to abandon ship” before it slipped beneath the waves. They have described it as “a harrowing experience”.

The cause of the sinking was (as per the NY Post) a “massive” whale that had attempted to surface directly underneath the boat and struck its stern. Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman also confirmed that the whale inflicted “catastrophic” damage to the ship.

As the Carteret Fire Department said:

“CFD Marine 2 was violently struck beneath the stern by a surfacing whale that breached the water south of the Arthur Kill at the mouth of Raritan Bay, causing catastrophic damage to the vessel. The boat immediately began taking on water, leaving the firefighters aboard only seconds to abandon the vessel.”

A nearby recreational vessel reported observing a pod of whales breaching the water both before and after the incident. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review, and additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Fortunately the crew were all wearing life jackets, and were quickly rescued when a jet skier and a recreational boater came to their aid, keeping them safe until rescuers from the Perth Amboy Fire Department arrived.

“Understandably, it has left those involved shaken”

The fire department said that a whale sinking their boat “is something no one anticipates”, but wants to use it as a learning opportunity for aquatic safety:

“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. 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. We encourage all boaters, jet ski operators, kayakers, and anyone enjoying the water to always wear a life jacket.”

In other whale-related news, a political controversy around a pod of Rice’s Whales recently made headlines as the Trump administration was accused of endangering them, and a Chilean kayaker has told the world his experience of becoming a modern-day Jonah and being swallowed whole by a whale.