On 4/7 at 16:30, a fireboat from Water Patrol Unit two of the Carteret Fire Department, New Jersey, was returning from a security assignment at the 250th US Independence Day celebration in New York Harbor. As the vessel approached the entrance to Raritan Bay, located between New Jersey and Staten Island, it suddenly experienced violent shaking.

Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman stated that a whale surfaced and struck the stern of the boat. This collision with the massive mammal caused catastrophic damage to the fireboat.

The Carteret Fire Department's vessel quickly sank after colliding with a whale on 4/7. *Photo: New York Post*

The boat rapidly took on water, giving the firefighters only seconds to escape before it completely sank. Nearby vessels quickly responded to the scene, followed by water rescue units from the Perth Amboy Fire Department who arrived to provide assistance.

The extent of the whale's injuries following the collision remains unknown.

The Carteret Fire Department's fireboat before it sank. *Photo: NY Post*

The Carteret Fire Department addressed the unusual incident in a Facebook post, stating, "We are regularly trained to rescue people from the water and respond to marine emergencies, but an incident like this is something no one anticipates." The department expressed gratitude, adding, "We are incredibly grateful that everyone returned home safely to their families."