BC Ferries suspects vessel hit humpback whale, adjusting operations 'for foreseeable future'
For the second time this summer, BC Ferries believes one of its vessels made contact with a whale and has notified federal officials and local First Nations.
In a statement Thursday, the company explained that a humpback whale surfaced ahead of the Northern Expedition on Aug. 29 while the boat was travelling from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy.
“The crew put the engines in reverse, however they suspect they made vessel contact with the whale,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to CTV News.
As a result of the suspected collision, the company says it has reported the incident to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, adding that the Northern Expedition will be operating at a slower speed in the vicinity of Mosley Point in the Inside Passage “for the foreseeable future.”
BC Ferries says it is also reaching out to local First Nations in hopes of collaborating on ways “to ensure our coastal waters are safe for marine life.”
This isn’t the first time the Northern Expedition has likely made contact with a whale. On July 20, BC Ferries believes the vessel made contact with a whale while sailing in the Wright Sound, describing the event as devastating for both the crew involved and the company as a whole.
BC Ferries says Fisheries and Oceans Canada was also contacted after the July incident, and that the company is fully cooperating with the ensuing federal review.
“Our unwavering commitment to the protection and preservation of these majestic mammals is woven into our day-to-day operations,” wrote BC Ferries.
In its statement Thursday, the company highlighted the fact that it’s the first ferry operator in North America to have developed a policy for vessel operation in the presence of marine animals.
BC Ferries says it has plans to work with the DFO and researchers to “leverage technological advances, including hydrophones and infrared cameras equipped with artificial intelligence, to help with the early detection of marine mammals.”
CTV News has reached out to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and will update this article if a response is received.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police find bag carried by gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, say he likely fled NYC on bus
Investigators found a backpack in Central Park that was carried by the shooter, police said Friday, following a massive sweep to find it in a vast area with lakes and ponds, meadows, playgrounds and a densely wooded section called 'The Ramble.'
A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre
Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his 30 years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin.
Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public
Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
'Home Alone' house up for sale for US$3.8 million in Chicago suburb – but not the one you're thinking of
Social media sleuths noticed that the house next door to the iconic 'Home Alone' house in Winnetka is now up for sale.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Did daily cannabis use go up after Canada legalized it?
Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018.