Whale collision averted caught on tape

[maxingout]

All around the world I was concerned about collision with whales. I had 2 different friends who collided with whales. One in the Pacific and the other in the Indian Oceans. In both situations, the yachts fared well. We saw lots of whales as we sailed around the world, and although they often came near us, they never behaved in an aggressive fashion. Whales always made me a bit nervous because I was at their mercy.

When we were in Australia, there was a monohull that was t-boned by a killer whale while sailing to New Caledonia, and although it didn't sink the yacht, it was a total loss for insurance purposes.

I don't know anything about how a whale thinks. But if I had to make a guess, I suspect that a yacht sailing along at four or five knots would be interpreted as less of a threat than a yacht sailing at twenty-five knots when it enters a whale's territory. A yacht sailing at five knots would not appear as aggressive and the level of urgency in dealing with a threat would give the whale time to assess the threat without taking immediate action. A yacht at 25 knots does not give a whale much time to observe the threat before reacting. It doesn't surprise me that racing yachts have outcomes that are sometimes less desirable when they enter a whale's home territory.

I can't believe that I am trying to read the mind of a whale.

[Ocean Girl]

Exit only,
I wonder if Cats have less incidents of whale attacks. Their underbody have less wetted surface, look less like another sea creature, say compared to a west sail-- no offense, if it offends, (gotta be careful with you multiple hull folks) Plus you guys have a better chance of just riding right over the whale.

Interesting link Reducing Ship Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales - Office of Protected Resources - NOAA Fisheries

Cheers,
Ocean Girl


PS
Very proud that you were trying to get in touch with your whale mind reading self Lord, I can't swim two feet without a sea creature interacting with me, ask my husband, they crowd around me like I'm about to say something profound ( but I got nothin!). I swear I must of been a fish in my past life.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

(...) I wonder if Cats have less incidents of whale attacks. (...)

Nah, about the same. The slower goes the boat the less likely you are to attack the whale. Our boat sails at 3-4-5 knots and 6 only if downhill. We attacked none in well over one full loop.

We did attack some turtles though. They are hard to miss.

b.

[zeehag]

we sailed thru pods of blues, greys and humpbacks on our way down here--had no problem--the whales sent warnings to their family members to keep clear of us. we tried to make sure we weren't between calf and momma-- but there was no way to really tell--there were soo many of them, but we never felt threatened or in danger. was merely one of the most awesome things i ever saw.

[Zednotzee]

BBC page is down/gone. Youtube video here:

Camper: Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 7, Day 9 Avoiding collision with a whale - YouTube

Whale incident is near the end (1:42 or so).

[TwoGreyHairs]

Do you know of any onboard deterents to keep them at a safe distance?

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by TwoGreyHairs

Do you know of any onboard deterents to keep them at a safe distance?

avoid them. sail out side of their pods, not thru them if you can -- we avoided the pods and still found some individuals--but they seemed m0re curious than disturbed--nothing came at us as we slowly sailed thru them.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by TwoGreyHairs

Do you know of any onboard deterents to keep them at a safe distance?

Sail with these guys , whales will be safe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlWX...e_gdata_player

[jeremiason]

There is no deterent for whales... Whales, like people, are curious and sometimes have bad days.

When you see them, turn away as best you can and watch from a distance, especially if they have babies

Our "Close Encounters" with whales came much too fast to do anything, but slow down, turn and hope for the best.

We have been cruising for 26 months along the coast of California, Mexico and Central America. We have had two close calls, but during that time have also seen hundreds of whales.

I would imagine that statistically you probably have about as much chance of hitting a whale or being attacked by one as hitting anything else in the floating in the water.

[TwoGreyHairs]

Thanks. Was able to see the 39 Beneteau that got demasted by a grey here in Oregon. Total loss, got me thinking. Game over if that happens.

[Cheechako]

Sailed with a couple of whales at night between Cabo and PV once. They insisted on cruising right alongside the boat.... so close that you could smell their rank fishy breath when they breathed! We turned the stereo up loud, started the engine etc , but nothing seemed to bother them. after an hour or so they just disappeared.