Crew rescued after NJ fire department marine unit collides with whale, takes on water

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Monday, July 6, 2026
Whale strikes New Jersey fire marine unit
The boat began taking on water within seconds.

CARTERET, New Jersey (WABC) -- The crew of a fire department marine unit was rescued Saturday afternoon after their boat collided with a whale and quickly took on water.

According to Carteret Mayor Daniel Reiman, the Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit was in the Raritan Bay around 4:30 p.m. when it collided with a surfacing whale.

Reiman said the boat immediately took on water and everyone onboard was forced to abandon ship.

A jet ski operator and another boater fished them out of the water along with members of the Perth Amboy Marine Unit.

There were no injuries.

Reiman said boaters reported seeing a pod of whales in the area at the time.

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