A vessel from Hullo Ferries, a high-speed ferry service operating between Vancouver and Nanaimo, recently collided with a humpback whale in English Bay, near Vancouver. The incident was reported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), which confirmed that the company has been fully cooperative following the event.
Details of the Incident
According to DFO’s written statement, the whale was observed swimming north after the collision. However, there was no information provided regarding the animal’s condition post-incident. Regulations mandate that vessel operators must promptly report any accidental interactions with marine mammals to the relevant authorities.
Hullo Ferries Operations
- Hullo Ferries operates between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo.
- The service includes up to 14 daily sailings.
- Two catamarans are utilized for these routes.
Vancouver Island Ferry Company, which manages Hullo Ferries, stated that during a scheduled sailing, their vessel, Spuhels, “likely made contact with a whale.” The crew took immediate action by initiating evasive maneuvers and executing a crash stop as per safety protocols.
Response and Reporting
The company emphasized its compliance with all reporting protocols. Notifications were sent out to the DFO, Canadian Coast Guard, First Nations partners, and the Whale Reporting Alert System. Despite a lack of details about the whale’s fate, CCTV footage and crew reports indicated that the whale was seen moving away following the incident.
The statement from the company expressed the emotional impact of the event on their crew and affirmed their commitment to marine wildlife protection. They reiterated adherence to the Whale Reporting Alert System and Canada’s Marine Mammal Guidelines.
It is worth noting that just last month, researchers discovered a deceased humpback whale in an area where it had reportedly been struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel off the northern coast of British Columbia.
