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nhschneider · 12-01-2012, 15:18

As my brother was sailing his Norseman 447, Wendaway, from La Paz, Baja California, to Banderas Bay on mainland Mexico, he and his crew came across a female humpback whale and her calf badly ensnared in a drift net. Here's a link to a video of the whale's rescue.

On the back of a whale: a rescue on Vimeo

Fair winds, calm seas and safe sailing.

svcrazyivan · 12-01-2012, 15:28

Here's a link to Del Viento, another boat that tried to help, too!

Log of s/v Del Viento: A Heartbreaking Decision, Part I By Michael

svcrazyivan · 12-01-2012, 15:45

Great Job Wendaway! I posted a link to Del Viento's blog post regarding the same sort of situation. That post is awaiting moderator approval due to the link. But a quick google search can get you the story.

Moderator Note: approved.

**minaret** · 12-01-2012, 16:09

More info, including the crews suggestions on what to do if YOU find a whale entangled and drifting, are here.

Log of SV Wendaway

Good work!

**minaret** · 12-01-2012, 16:17

I believe this is the piece of equipment that was most needed for this incident. It is a dramatically safer and more effective way to approach the problem. Spyderco is a great company anyway, but big kudos to them for doing this as well. I think if an earnest request was made a person might be able to acquire one of these if they gave the right reasons. Could be a great piece of gear for potential prop fouling as well. Beats going into the water by a long shot.
Note that Spyderco says they lose more than a hundred dollars on every blade they sell. They are not making these for profit, which is why they are not for sale to the general public. After watching this vid, I may see if I can acquire one myself. If all cruisers were so equipped, perhaps some whales could be saved.

Spyderco Whale Rescue Blade

Bryan Carbino · 12-01-2012, 16:32

I and mother nature and of course whales thank you for what you did. I don't like drift netting. People need to read our plastic ocean.

svcrazyivan · 12-01-2012, 17:35

Thanks for the approval for the link, mods!

**hummingway** · 12-01-2012, 18:02

well done.

Cheechako · 12-01-2012, 18:38

Superb!

**minaret** · 22-02-2012, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by minaret

I believe this is the piece of equipment that was most needed for this incident. It is a dramatically safer and more effective way to approach the problem. Spyderco is a great company anyway, but big kudos to them for doing this as well. I think if an earnest request was made a person might be able to acquire one of these if they gave the right reasons. Could be a great piece of gear for potential prop fouling as well. Beats going into the water by a long shot.
Note that Spyderco says they lose more than a hundred dollars on every blade they sell. They are not making these for profit, which is why they are not for sale to the general public. After watching this vid, I may see if I can acquire one myself. If all cruisers were so equipped, perhaps some whales could be saved.

Spyderco Whale Rescue Blade

After watching some videos of cruisers attempting to conduct whale rescues while ill equipped, I actually sent Spyderco an email suggesting that with some refinement they might be able to market their whale rescue knife to cruisers, both for whale rescue and potentially for clearing a fouled prop. They just got back to me. They said that they are working on developing this knife for the general public, but are finding it cost prohibitive in H1 steel, their prefered product. They did, however, send me two of these blades in 440, which is what they are using now, for free. With best wishes that I might someday put them to their intended use. That's about $500 worth of their product on the off chance it might help a whale. What a great company, based right here in the good old USA (Golden, Colorado)! I suggest you all buy their knives for their support for marine life. Not too many corporations out there would do that. And maybe if you ask real nice they'll give you one too!