Whale Lands on Yacht

[axel&andie]

I wonder if the material of the boat had anything to do with the resulting (relative lack of?) damage; does anyone think a 40 ton whale hitting anything other than steel (everything else about the event being the same, the approach, the angle, the landing, etc) would produce worse results? just curious.

[beau]

I cannot believe the photo is real.
Sure they were probably damaged by the whale, but the photo is photoshoped in my opinion.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by beau

I cannot believe the photo is real.

Now what do you say?

msnbc.com Video Player

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Now what do you say?
msnbc.com Video Player

Even the presenters say it's "unbelievable” - so why should we believe it?
Just kidding.

[Astrid]

msnbc.com Video Player

Interview with people from the yacht.

[Drew13440]

This story played on my local TV news last night - they showed the pictures, too!

[Get-a-Life]

Widely reported in the press here.

Whale watching boat behind the yacht saw that the yacht was harassing the whales, mother and calf. Got between them and mother took appropriate action.

As for the comment, "tourist boat being the boat problem" I can assure you that they would not even think about it. The regulations for distances off are strictly adhered to by the tourist vessels and the penalties are punishing. The tourist boats often have a spotter plane up to find where the whales are and once spotted the all the boats close in. If one boat tries to get within the prescribed regulatory distance then I'm certain the others would be as quick as lightning to "dob" them in, one less to compete with for quite some time if not forever.

Ken

[mbianka]

Another reason not to have a carbon fiber mast.

Capt. Mike
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG

[maytrix]

I can't seem to find anything online, but I am sure they showed a video of the incident on TV last night or this morning. It was very shaky but did catch the whale jumping and landing I think.

Anyway, searching I found this story - 1:22 into the story is pretty funny. They show a few videos of other boat crashes.. the goose is pretty crazy!

[David M]

Originally Posted by Get-a-Life

Widely reported in the press here.

Whale watching boat behind the yacht saw that the yacht was harassing the whales, mother and calf. Got between them and mother took appropriate action.

As for the comment, "tourist boat being the boat problem" I can assure you that they would not even think about it. The regulations for distances off are strictly adhered to by the tourist vessels and the penalties are punishing. The tourist boats often have a spotter plane up to find where the whales are and once spotted the all the boats close in. If one boat tries to get within the prescribed regulatory distance then I'm certain the others would be as quick as lightning to "dob" them in, one less to compete with for quite some time if not forever.

Ken

Spotter planes for whale watching boats? Good grief. Poor animals.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by David M

Spotter planes for whale watching boats? Good grief. Poor animals.

Indeed.
➥ Orca Whale Spotting Seaplane | Island Mariner Cruises

Whalewatching Regulations from Around the World:

➥ http://iwcoffice.org/_documents/sci_...09%20final.pdf


Tips from the Environment Australia- Biodiversity Group:

Within 300 metres of a whale, move at a constant slow speed no faster than the slowest whale or at idle, 'no wake' speed

Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed or direction

Observe the distances set out in the illustration below

Stopping? Allow your motor to idle for at least one minute before turning it off.

No more than three vessels should attempt to watch a whale or group of whales at one time.

Do not allow the whales to become boxed in, or cut off their path, or prevent them from leaving

Do not approach mothers with young calves. Move away slowly at idle, 'no wake' speed to at least 300 metres from closest whale