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- Apr 1, 2007
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A Carteret (Northern NJ, just west of NYC on the water) Fire Department marine unit was heavily damaged Friday afternoon after being struck by a surfacing whale while operating in the Arthur Kill near the mouth of Raritan Bay.
Carteret FD Marine 2 was traveling south of Arthur Kill when a whale suddenly surfaced and struck the underside of the vessel’s stern, causing significant damage and rapid flooding.
All Firefighters aboard were forced to abandon the boat within seconds of the impact. They were already in PFDs, were safely rescued, and no injuries were reported.
A nearby recreational boater reported seeing a pod of whales in the area both before and after the incident. Emergency assistance was quickly provided by nearby boaters, including a jet ski operator, along with a marine unit from the Perth Amboy Fire Department, which helped bring the crew safely ashore. Authorities say the vessel sustained catastrophic damage
Carteret FD Marine 2 was traveling south of Arthur Kill when a whale suddenly surfaced and struck the underside of the vessel’s stern, causing significant damage and rapid flooding.
All Firefighters aboard were forced to abandon the boat within seconds of the impact. They were already in PFDs, were safely rescued, and no injuries were reported.
A nearby recreational boater reported seeing a pod of whales in the area both before and after the incident. Emergency assistance was quickly provided by nearby boaters, including a jet ski operator, along with a marine unit from the Perth Amboy Fire Department, which helped bring the crew safely ashore. Authorities say the vessel sustained catastrophic damage
