Whales are incredibly large marine mammals that live in oceans all over the world. Given their massive size, with some species growing over 100 feet long and weighing over 150 tons, whales certainly have the potential to cause damage if they were to accidentally collide with a boat. However, do such accidents actually happen? And if so, how frequently? In this article, we’ll explore whether whales ever hit boats by accident and the factors that influence such occurrences.
Whale Biology and Behavior
To understand if whales are likely to hit boats, it’s important to first consider their biology and behavior. Whales are generally docile, intelligent creatures that do not purposefully attack boats or humans. Here are some key facts about whales that inform their interactions with boats:
- Whales have relatively small eyes compared to their overall body size. This limits their visual acuity and ability to see directly in front of them.
- Whales primarily navigate and find food using echolocation. The sound pulses used for echolocation have limited range and resolution.
- Baleen whales such as humpbacks and blues feed by lunging through patches of krill and small fish. Their feeding behavior focuses downward, not forward.
- Toothed whales such as orcas hunt in pods and target specific prey. They do not randomly strike unknown objects.
- Whales generally avoid motorized boats and ships when heard approaching. Some may spyhop (poke their heads up) to visually inspect boats.
- Whales become more vulnerable to ship strikes when resting, feeding, or socializing as they are less aware of their surroundings.
Overall, whales do not deliberately target or attack watercraft. Their sensory capabilities and behavior make accidental collisions rare, but still possible, especially if whales are distracted while boats are around.
Documented Accidents Between Whales and Boats
While accidental run-ins are uncommon, there are documented cases of whales bumping, scraping, or becoming entangled with boats:
- In 2006, a 20-foot northern bottlenose whale became tangled in a submarine’s towed sonar array 6,500 feet deep off the coast of Sardinia. It drowned after desperate efforts by navy divers failed to free it.
- In 2013, an 80,000 pound blue whale struck a 33-foot sailboat near Dana Point, California. The boat was damaged but no injuries occurred.
- In 2014, a humpback whale breached onto a small inflatable boat off the coast of Hawaii. Amazingly, no passengers were hurt beyond bruises.
- In 2016, an orca whale rammed and sunk a 29-foot sailboat off the coast of Portugal. Again, no injuries to the crew who were rescued.
These examples illustrate that collisions between whales and boats sometimes happen. Often no injuries occur to humans, but the whale is less fortunate and may become injured or die as a result.
Factors That Contribute to Accidental Collisions
What factors make it more likely for a whale to accidentally collide with or otherwise damage a boat? Here are some of the main conditions and variables:
Limited Visibility
Whales rely mostly on hearing, not vision, to navigate and hunt. In low light or turbid water conditions, their already limited eyesight is further impaired. This makes whales more prone to not detecting boats in time to avoid hitting them.
Whale Distraction
Whales focused on feeding, socializing, mating, or migrating are less attentive to their surroundings. Their awareness declines further when resting or sleeping. This distraction means they may not pick up on an approaching boat until it’s too late.
Boat Size
Very small watercraft like kayaks, sailboats, and inflatables present very little acoustic or visual target for whales to detect. A whale may not echolocate them or see them, increasing risk of collision. Larger boats create more sound and may be noticed.
Water Conditions
Rough, choppy water creates air bubbles and other acoustic impediments that can block or scatter whale echolocation. This impairs their “vision” and ability to detect boats, especially smaller craft they may not hear or see otherwise.
Chance Encounters
With whales and boats sharing the same environment, there is always a small chance of a random collision, even under ideal conditions. The more boat traffic in whale territories, the higher the odds become.
Most At-Risk Boat Types
What kinds of boats and watercraft are most vulnerable to accidental strikes by whales? Here are the top categories, ranked from most to least risk:
Boat Type | Collision Risk Level |
---|---|
Inflatable rafts and dinghies | High |
Kayaks and canoes | High |
Sailboats under 25 feet | Moderate |
Motorboats under 20 feet | Low-Moderate |
Large motor yachts and ships | Very Low |
Inflatables, kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats lack the sound, visibility, and maneuverability to avoid whale strikes. Large motorized boats create enough noise and visual profile for whales to detect and avoid. However, no boat is immune to potential accidental collisions.
Notable Whale Collision Locations
Accidental whale strikes occur in oceans worldwide, but certain locations see higher frequencies of incidents and are considered hotspots. These areas include:
Southern California
Popular boating area that intersects with blue and humpback whale migration routes.
Hawaii
Winter breeding grounds for humpback whales coinciding with heavy island boat traffic.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Summer feeding area dense with whales and recreational boaters.
Bay of Fundy, Canada
Funnel-shaped bay with condensed populations of whales and boats.
Canary Islands
Volcanic archipelago surrounded by deep waters rich in marine life.
The common factor in these hotspots is large numbers of whales and boats frequenting the same confined areas, increasing odds of chance encounters.
Avoiding Whale Collisions: Tips for Boaters
While the risk of an accidental whale strike is low overall, it does exist. When boating in known whale habitats, here are some tips for minimizing chances of a collision:
- Reduce speed to 10 knots or less when whales may be present.
- Post dedicated lookouts to watch for whales around the boat.
- Avoid sudden course changes that could put you in a whale’s path.
- Never approach within 100 yards of a whale.
- If a whale surfaces nearby, stop the boat and allow it to pass.
- Make noise (ring bell, bang hull) to alert whales of your presence.
- Never feed, touch, or swim with wild whales.
Following these common sense precautions will help keep both boaters and whales safe from accidental collisions when sharing the water.
Conclusion
Although whales do not deliberately target boats, their massive size means accidental collisions can happen in the right circumstances. Small watercraft are most vulnerable due to limited visibility and audibility to whales focused on other activities. Certain hotspot locations see more incidents based on higher numbers of whales and boats. While the likelihood of a whale strike is low, boat operators should take steps to avoid startling or surprising whales to prevent unnecessary damage or harm to people and marine mammals alike. With mutual awareness and care, we can safely share the ocean’s splendor with these majestic creatures.