A vessel belonging to a high-speed ferry service connecting Vancouver and Nanaimo collided with a humpback whale in English Bay near Vancouver, as confirmed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The incident was reported by Hullo Ferries, and the company is cooperating fully with DFO.
Following the collision, the whale was observed swimming north, but no details regarding its condition were provided. Regulations mandate that operators of vessels or fishing equipment must promptly notify the department of any accidental encounters with marine mammals.
Hullo Ferries, which offers up to 14 daily sailings using two catamarans between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, stated that its vessel Spuhels likely had contact with the whale during a scheduled sailing. The crew took immediate evasive action upon spotting the mammal and followed safety protocols accordingly.
The company adhered to all reporting procedures, including informing DFO, the Canadian Coast Guard, First Nations partners, and the Whale Reporting Alert System. Although there were no specifics regarding the whale’s condition post-collision, CCTV footage and crew observations indicated that the whale moved away from the area after the incident.
Expressing deep concern, the Vancouver Island Ferry Company emphasized its commitment to marine life protection and strict adherence to reporting systems and guidelines. Notably, a dead humpback was discovered last month in an area where it was believed to have been struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel off the northern coast of British Columbia.