A vessel on the high-speed passenger ferry service between Vancouver and Nanaimo collided with a humpback whale near Vancouver in English Bay, according to a federal agency.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) said in a written statement that Hullo Ferries informed the department about the collision.
The company is fully cooperating, according to DFO.
The statement said the whale was spotted swimming north following contact, but did not provide any further details about the animal's condition.
The regulations require operators of vessels or fishing gear to immediately inform the agency of incidental contact with marine mammals.
Hullo Ferries advertises up to 14 daily sailings on two catamarans between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo.
Vancouver Island Ferry, which operates the Hullo ferries, said in a statement that its vessel Spuhels “likely came into contact with a whale” during its planned voyage.
“Upon sighting the mammal, the bridge crew immediately took evasive action and performed an emergency stop maneuver in accordance with safety procedures,” the statement said.
The company added that it complies with all reporting protocols, including notification to DFO, the Canadian Coast Guard, Indigenous partners and the Whale Reporting System.
The statement did not provide any details about the animal's condition after the collision, but said CCTV and crew surveillance footage “indicates the whale was seen moving away from the area” after the incident.
“This event is deeply felt by our team and all employees [Vancouver Island Ferry Company]”We take our responsibility to protect marine life very seriously and strictly follow the Whale Alert System and Canada's Marine Mammal Guidelines.”
Last month, researchers discovered a dead humpback near where it was reported to have been hit by a BC Ferries ship off the northern coast of British Columbia.
