Whale dies after collision with boat at Jersey Shore, causes woman to fall overboard.

A minke whale that collided with a small boat at the Jersey Shore has died, prompting investigations and raising awareness about marine safety. The incident, which took place around 3:40 PM on Saturday in Barnegat Bay, near Long Beach Island in Ocean County, involved a 20-foot minke whale striking the vessel and resulting in a woman being thrown overboard, nearly capsizing the boat.

Boat Captain Charlie Nunn described the accident as a “freak occurrence,” suggesting the whale may have entered a fight-or-flight mode due to its anxiety in shallow waters. He noted the whale’s behavior might be attributed to its distress, as marine mammals typically do not inhabit water that shallow. Fortunately, the woman who fell into the water reported no injuries.

Eyewitness Kim Mancini captured video of the situation and remarked on the whale’s apparent struggle to reach deeper waters. Observing the animal, she noted, “It was really in distress,” indicating a level of urgency as it maneuvered beneath the boats nearby.

Prior to the collision, the whale had been reported to the New Jersey Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), Coast Guard, and state agencies nearly an hour earlier. It is suspected that the whale might have struck a pontoon boat shortly after the initial incident. Witnesses also observed the whale resting on a sandbar after the collision occurred.

Upon arrival at the sandbar, the MMSC confirmed the whale was deceased. In response to the situation, the organization plans to tow the whale away and conduct a necropsy to determine the exact cause of death. Furthermore, the MMSC issued a cautionary reminder for boaters, advising them to maintain a distance of at least 150 feet from the whale carcass.

This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between marine life and recreational boating. As marine environments face increasing pressures from human activity, both authorities and recreational users are called to exercise greater awareness and responsibility in multi-species coexistence.

The whale’s death underscores the importance of educating the public about marine ecosystems and the need for safeguards to protect these majestic creatures. As investigations continue, the hope remains that greater understanding and proactive measures will help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Media News Source