explosion and orbs in carribean waters

I was at a party in Florida, made up of developers/realtors/excersise enthusiasts, etc.  One started telling a story of when he supervised hauling barges across the carribean.  He manned the main tug.  
One night, very late, they witnessed a very large explosion miles away - sufficiently powerful to fully illuminate the barge they were towing which was a city block behind them so that it was completely lit.  He cut loose his lead tug and went to investigate, expecting to find debris.  He found nothing.  He then commented how he several times has seen sizable glowing orbs moving beneath his ships under the water in formation in this area.
 This was immediately followed by another partyer who recalled camping with his dad and brother in a state park in NY state, one that had restricted air.  They were out ((deleted)) under the stars, when they noticed a large glowing object floating above the nearby trees.  It took off, immediately to be chased by 3 US military aircraft - again, all in a no-fly zone.
Date is approximate.  PD