Overview
- A breaching whale struck the stern of Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit 2 as it returned from a holiday security detail, causing catastrophic hull damage that sank the boat within minutes.
- The crew abandoned ship and were pulled from the water without injury after a nearby jet ski operator and a civilian boater reached them and Perth Amboy’s marine unit provided aid.
- Officials said the boat began taking on water immediately and the crew had only seconds to escape, and they credited properly fitted life jackets and training with preventing injuries.
- Investigators have not confirmed the whale’s species or condition though the captain and crew believe it may have been a humpback and civilian video of the scene has circulated.
- Whale sightings have risen in the New York Bight as waters recover, a trend that could raise rare collision risks for marine operations and that officials say will shape safety guidance and the ongoing review.