VICTORIA — The company operating a high-speed, passenger-only ferry service between Vancouver and Nanaimo is fully cooperating after one of its vessels struck a humpback whale near Vancouver in English Bay, a federal department says.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says in a written statement that Hullo Ferries has informed the department of the collision.
The statement says the whale was observed swimming north after the contact, but did not offer any additional details about the condition of the animal.
Regulations require operators of vessels or fishing gear to immediately inform the department of accidental contacts with marine mammals.
Hullo Ferries advertises up to 14 daily sailings, using two catamarans, between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo.
The company says in a statement that its vessel Spuhels “likely made contact with a whale” during a scheduled sailing.
The company operating a high-speed, passenger-only ferry service between Vancouver and Nanaimo is fully cooperating after one of its vessels struck a humpback whale near Vancouver in English Bay, a federal department says.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says in a written statement that Hullo Ferries has informed the department of the collision.
In a statement, Hullo Ferries confirms that one of its vessels “likely made contact with a whale during a scheduled sailing.”
“Upon sighting the mammal, the bridge team immediately initiated evasive action and executed a crash stop maneuver in accordance with safety procedures,” Hullo said.
“All reporting protocols were followed without delay, including notification of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, our First Nations partners, and the Whale Reporting Alert System (WRAS).”
Hullo says CCTV video footage and observations by crew members indicate that the whale was seen moving away from the ferry after the incident.
“This event is felt deeply by our crew and everyone at [Hullo service operator Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC)],” the statement said.
“We take our responsibility to protect marine life very seriously and strictly follow the Whale Reporting Alert System and Canada’s Marine Mammal Guidelines.”
Regulations require operators of vessels or fishing gear to immediately inform the department of accidental contacts with marine mammals.
Hullo Ferries advertises up to 14 daily sailings, using two catamarans, between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo.
Last month, researchers found a dead humpback near a site where it was reportedly hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel off B.C.’s northern coast.
