Whale Sinks Fire Rescue Boat Returning From 4th July Event, Throws Crew Overboard

A whale struck a New Jersey fire department rescue boat, causing damage and forcing the crew to abandon ship within seconds.

The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. as the Carteret Fire Department’s Marine Unit 2 was traveling south of the Arthur Kill, near the mouth of Raritan Bay.

The vessel was returning to its home waters after assisting in a regional marine security patrol for 4th July celebration and parade of tall ships in the New York Harbor.

The boat was violently shaken when a whale surfaced directly underneath the vessel’s stern.

The impact caused “catastrophic damage” to the underside of the hull, resulting in rapid and severe flooding which led to the boat sinking.

Fortunately, all personnel on board were wearing life jackets, which kept them safe in the shipping channel until help arrived.

A recreational jet ski operator and a civilian boater rushed to the scene, and pulled the firefighters from the water.

A marine unit from the Perth Amboy Fire Department responded quickly to bring the crew safely ashore.

Officials confirmed that all firefighters were safely accounted for and no injuries were reported.

“Though the CFD trains to rescue civilians from the water, fires, and car accidents, something like this certainly leaves an impression and a person a bit shaken,” Mayor Reiman noted.