Close Encounter: Boaters' Whale Encounter in Double Creek Channel Goes Viral
A video capturing a group of boaters encountering a whale in the Double Creek Channel on Barnegat Bay has gone viral. The incident led to a tense moment as the boat nearly capsized and one passenger was thrown overboard. The video, authenticated by TowBoatUS Barnegat Light, has been widely shared on national boating social media profiles.
The encounter took place in the Double Creek Channel, starting from the "42" buoy marker in the bay, passing High Bar Harbor near the northern tip of Long Beach Island, and leading to Barnegat Inlet. The video shows the boaters seemingly stuck on a sandbar, but it was later revealed that the whale had swum under the boat, causing the boat to tilt when the whale emerged and collided with it.
The passenger who was thrown overboard appeared to be unharmed and was seen standing in shoulder-deep water. Onlookers from nearby boats urged the operator to stop the engine, which he eventually did. Local and state police were not immediately available for comment, and the condition of the whale remains unknown. TowBoatUS Barnegat Light advised boaters to be cautious in the area as the whale has been spotted by multiple boaters in the same location over the past few days.
In conclusion, the video of the boaters' encounter with a whale in the Double Creek Channel has garnered widespread attention, highlighting the importance of caution and awareness when navigating waters where marine wildlife may be present.