Whale-Watching Boat Collides with Humpback Near Vancouver
A whale-watching tour turned tense on Thursday afternoon when a vessel operated by Prince of Whales collided with a humpback whale that unexpectedly surfaced near Vancouver’s Howe Sound.
In a statement, the company said the vessel was not actively viewing whales at the time and called it a “surprise encounter.” The crew reportedly executed a quick manoeuvre to avoid impact, managing to stop almost immediately. Despite the effort, the boat made “minimal contact” with the whale.
“Several passengers fell when the vessel stopped suddenly, and a handful were injured,” the company said.
B.C. Emergency Health Services confirmed paramedics provided emergency treatment to four passengers on Granville Island. All were taken to hospital in stable condition.
According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the whale was spotted surfacing three times after the collision. While the animal’s identity has not yet been confirmed, officials said the company is fully co-operating in the investigation.
The incident follows another collision earlier this month, when a high-speed ferry between Vancouver and Nanaimo struck a humpback whale in English Bay. That whale, a young calf, was later identified with a deep gash near its dorsal fin.
Marine experts say humpback whales remain highly vulnerable to vessel strikes and entanglement. The DFO noted that the southern Strait of Georgia, especially off Vancouver, is one of the densest areas for whale activity in October — overlapping with busy ferry routes and whale-watching operations.
Authorities have alerted enforcement officers and members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association to monitor the area for injured whales as high winds and poor weather are expected over the weekend.
