Whale watching passengers injured during ‘surprise encounter’ with humpback off B.C. coast, company says

FILE: A humpback whale is seen fishing in the waters of Chatham Sound near Prince Rupert, B.C., on June 22, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

Several passengers were injured as a whale watching vessel collided with a humpback off the B.C. coast on Thursday, in what the company involved said was a “surprise encounter.”

The incident marked the second humpback collision in a single week in Howe Sound, near Vancouver, after a Hullo ferry struck a whale last Friday.

In an email, a spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada told CTV News staff have yet to identify the humpback involved in the latest incident, but “continue to be on the lookout for injured animals” along with members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

The spokesperson noted the humpback was “seen surfacing three times in the minutes after contact,” and that the touring company, Prince of Whales, is “fully co-operating.”

The company described Thursday afternoon’s incident as sudden and unexpected.

The vessel involved was in transit when the humpback surfaced directly in its path, leading the crew to undertake a “decisive maneuver, in accordance with safety procedures,” Prince of Whales said in a statement.

“We were not actively viewing the whale,” the company added.

The crew was able to come to a quick stop, but the vessel still made what Prince of Whales described as “minimal contact” with the humpback.

There was no noticeable damage to the animal or vessel, the company said, but a number of passengers fell during the maneuver and some were injured.

“We deeply regret that this sudden stopping action caused several passengers to fall aboard the vessel,” Prince of Whales said. “Our trained crew members immediately administered first aid to those affected.”

Three people needed further treatment from paramedics at the shore. The company said every passenger on the tour was provided a full refund.

“This was an exceedingly rare event and we are very appreciative for the decisive actions of our crew, and for the gracious support and understanding of our guests,” it said.

Prince of Whales reported the collision, as required under Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations.

Following last week’s humpback strike, a calf was spotted a few kilometres from the collision site with a “deep gash” near its dorsal fin, according to the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada said humpbacks are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes, as well as entanglement in fishing equipment.

The species is more abundant locally in fall than any other time of the year, the DFO spokesperson said, and the Strait of Georgia—connected to Howe Sound—is “one of the areas of highest whale density” in the month of October.

“This is also an area with multiple ferry routes and important whale-watching activity,” the spokesperson added.

Under Canadian law, vessels must stay a minimum of 100 metres away from all whales, dolphins and porpoises. The minimum distance is farther for certain species in some areas.

Anyone who witnesses a collision involving a whale, an entanglement or potential harassment can report it to the Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336.