PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A whale sank a fire department boat off the coast of North Jersey on the Fourth of July.
Officials said the crew of firefighters from Carteret, Middlesex County, were shaken up but are physically OK.
Officials said the patrol vessel was returning from the Port of New York and New Jersey area around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when the whale surfaced directly underneath the boat’s stern.
The boat immediately took on water, and everyone on board abandoned ship. Officials said they were wearing life vests and were safely pulled from the water without injuries.
It is not clear if the whale was injured.
Officials said this serves as a reminder of the importance of wearing life jackets out on the water.
