A minke whale has tragically died following a collision with a small motorboat in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, leading to a dramatic incident on Saturday afternoon. Video footage shared on social media captured the moment when the six-metre whale collided with the boat, causing it to rock violently and throwing one person overboard. Fortunately, the individual was able to stay afloat near the vessel while the whale splashed around before swimming away.
Later, the whale was discovered deceased after washing up on a sandbar in shallow waters. Marine authorities experienced challenges in reaching the whale due to adverse tidal conditions, as reported by the Marine Mammal Stranding Centre, which focuses on rescue and rehabilitation of marine life.
Jay Pagel, the centre’s stranding coordinator, mentioned they were limited in their ability to investigate the whale, noting, “At this point, we really don’t have much to go on.” While they observed no visible marks on the side of the whale they inspected, Pagel acknowledged the limited visibility hampered their assessment. There were preliminary reports suggesting the whale may have sustained injuries prior to the collision, as indicated by the video footage. Moreover, a separate clip circulating online appeared to show the whale coming into contact with a pontoon boat following the initial incident.
To ascertain the cause of death, the deceased whale is set to be transported to a state park for a necropsy.