QUEEN OF SURREY
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Dead whale found near incident site
Aa dead humpback whale was found near Grace Islands, after the 'Queen of Surrey' struck a whale while navigating the waters between Gambier and Keats islands on Oct 19. The whale was thrashing in the water after the impact, visibly injured and leaving a reddish hue in the wake. The ferry did not reduce speed after the collision, creating concerns over the lack of communication from the crew regarding the incident and any subsequent action. The MERS has now confirmed that a deceased humpback whale has been located in the vicinity of the incident position. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) responded to the report. Recovery efforts for the whale carcass were commenced. BC Ferries has acknowledged the situation and confirmed that their crew spotted the deceased whale, subsequently reporting it to the DFO. It remained, however, unclear whether the deceased whale was the same one that was struck or the cause of its death. The whale had surfaced suddenly, providing the crew with little time to react. Humpback whales are currently frequenting the waters around Vancouver Island to feed before embarking on their lengthy migrations to warmer waters. This period of intense foraging might impair their awareness of surroundings, making them particularly vulnerable to strikes. The MERS has proposed multiple solutions aimed at enhancing situational awareness for large vessel operators. One of the recommendations included the use of the Whale Report Alert System, which had previously reported sightings of humpback whales in the affected area. Furthermore, acoustic detection tools and infrared cameras for better whale monitoring were suggeted, as well as the implementation of speed reductions for large ships in critical whale habitats.
Ferry collided with humpback whale
A humpback whale has been struck by the 'Queen of Surrey', operating between the Vancouver-Horseshoe Bay terminal and the Sunshine Coast, on Oct 18 near Metro Vancouver. Fisheries and Oceans Canada were alerted after the collision near the Keats and Grace islands in the Howe Sound. Witnesses reported two humpback whales near the ferry at the time of the collision, and one was struck after it surfaced in front of the vessel. The whale was seen behind the vessel after the collision, thrashing in the water, with red visible around the animal. Investigators were working to identify it and assess its condition. Researchers believed the collision may have been fatal, given the vessel’s speed and the apparent severity of the impact,. The incident was immediately reported by BC FErries to the appropriate authorities, and the company was working with them to understand the circumstances and any impacts on the whale.
Ferry and replacement ferry suffered technical trouble
The 'Queen of Surrey' was pulled from service due to an issue with its propeller shaft on Aug 28. The vessel, bound from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, was towed to the terminal by tugs after experiencing a mechanical issue mid-sailing at 4.40 p.m. Engineering teams investigated the issue, and the vessel’s sailings for the rest of the day have been put at risk of cancellation. This triggered a cascade of cancellations throughout the day and into the morning of Aug 29. While attempting to manage the fallout, the replacement vessel, the 'Queen of Coquitlam', also encountered a mechanical difficulty, involving a clutch issue, on the morning of Aug 29. This forced the vessel to hold in dock, further paralysing the route between Langdale (Sunshine Coast) and Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). Hundreds of passengers were facing cancellations and significant delays.
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