One moment, calm waters. The next, a 900-pound dolphin landed on their boat - CNN

It was supposed to be a serene fishing trip for three New Zealand men, a peaceful getaway on calm waters. Their tranquility was shattered in an instant, however, when a dolphin weighing more than 900 pounds seemingly plummeted from the sky, crash-landing into their small boat. This unexpected occurrence at sea turned an otherwise placid outing into a bizarre, almost surreal spectacle, leaving the three men to grapple with the immediate aftermath of the incident and the attention it inevitably drew. The occurrence not only piqued the interest of the global media but also raised questions about marine animal behaviors and the potential risks they could pose to humans.

The calm waters of the New Zealand coast were thought to be the ideal setting for a relaxing fishing trip for three mates, until an unexpected visitor came crashing down. The trio, on a small boat, were stunned when out of nowhere, a dolphin weighing around 400 kilograms (approximately 900 pounds) seemingly fell from the sky, landing in their vessel. The incident, which was described as "berserk" by the men, turned the tranquil fishing trip into a chaotic scene.

According to eyewitness reports, the dolphin appeared to be in a state of distress, leaping out of the water at a significant height before plummeting onto the boat. The force of the impact caused the small boat to lurch sideways, but thankfully, all three men managed to stay on board. The dolphin, however, was trapped in the boat, unable to escape.

Attempting to maneuver the heavy animal back into the water proved to be a difficult task for the men. The dolphin, in its panic, was thrashing about, making it challenging for the trio to regain control of the situation. Despite the chaotic circumstances, they were determined to save the dolphin and avoid any serious damage to their boat.

The unexpected encounter with the dolphin has left the men in a state of shock. They began their day looking forward to a peaceful fishing trip, but ended up in a situation that none of them could have ever anticipated. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of always being prepared for the unexpected.

As the boat rocked violently from the sudden and unexpected impact, the men were thrown into a state of disarray. The sheer force of the dolphin's crash-landing, which was estimated to weigh over 900 pounds, was enough to break one of the boat's benches and severely damage the hull. The creature thrashed around, causing more mayhem.

The men, who were initially paralyzed by the shock of the event, quickly sprang into action. One of the men, James Lee, grappled with the massive mammal, desperately trying to steer it towards the edge of the boat. His focus was not only on their safety but also on ensuring the dolphin was returned to the water as quickly as possible to minimize its distress.

However, the sheer size and power of the dolphin made it a monumental task. The dolphin, disoriented and probably frightened, was not making things easier. With every attempt to direct it towards the water, it would thrash and resist, causing further damage to the boat.

Despite the chaotic scenario, the men were acutely aware of the need to handle the situation with care. They understood that the dolphin was not an aggressor, but a creature out of its element, and their actions were guided by a deep respect for the wildlife they encountered during their fishing trips.

Immediately after the dolphin crash-landed in their boat, the three men were in a state of shock. The dolphin, on the other hand, seemed to be momentarily stunned before it started to thrash about, causing the boat to rock dangerously. Despite the chaos, the men managed to navigate their boat back to shore with the dolphin still aboard.

Once ashore, they contacted local wildlife authorities who quickly arrived to assess the situation. The dolphin, although slightly injured, was eventually returned to the water and seemed to swim away without any apparent difficulties.

According to Dr. Mark Simmons, a marine biologist, such incidents are extremely rare. "Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures with excellent spatial awareness," he explained. "It's highly unusual for one to accidentally end up in a boat. This incident may have been caused by a combination of unusual circumstances, such as the dolphin being pursued by a predator or disoriented by an acoustic disturbance."

In a remarkable turn of events, three New Zealand men on a routine fishing trip had a close encounter of the cetacean kind when a 900-pound dolphin seemingly fell from the sky into their boat. This unusual experience, which quickly turned a calm day at sea into chaos, underscores the unpredictability of nature and its inhabitants.

The men handled the incident with remarkable calm and resourcefulness, ensuring the safety of both themselves and the dolphin before returning to shore. Their story serves as a reminder of the unexpected adventures that can occur even in the most routine circumstances, and the importance of respect and quick-thinking when we find ourselves in close quarters with the wild.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/05/asia/new-zealand-900-pound-dolphin-boat-intl-scli/index.html