A Sea-Doo rider is injured after hitting a grey whale off Vancouver. Officials investigate the crash and check the whale’s condition.
High-Speed Sea-Doo Crash Shocks Vancouver Waters
First, a calm evening on the water near Stanley Park quickly turned into a shocking scene. Then, a Sea-Doo rider hit a grey whale in a high-speed crash near Siwash Rock. As a result, the rider was thrown into the air, and people on shore watched in disbelief. Meanwhile, videos captured the moment from several angles, and they spread quickly.
Emergency Teams Rush to the Scene
Next, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue got a mayday call around 7:35 p.m. on Monday. After that, crews moved fast to help.
Then, responders reached the injured rider and gave first aid on a nearby yacht. In addition, they used one of their rescue vessels to assist. After that, they brought the rider to shore, where an ambulance took over care.
However, officials have not yet shared the rider’s current condition.
Whale Seen Feeding in Busy Area
Meanwhile, the grey whale had been feeding in the area for about a week. Then, the whale surfaced and blew water just before the crash happened. After that, the Sea-Doo came in fast from the right side and struck the animal.
As a result, the impact launched the craft about five to 10 metres into the air. Then, it crashed down hard, and the rider was thrown off.
Whale’s Condition Still Unknown
At the same time, Fisheries officials said they know about the incident. However, they are still trying to figure out if the whale was hurt.
Moreover, Marine Search and Rescue said it is not possible yet to check the whale’s health. Still, they noted the whale was seen breathing after the impact.
Rules for Boaters Are Clear
Importantly, Canadian rules require boats to stay at least 100 metres away from whales. In fact, stricter rules can apply in certain cases.
Therefore, officials reminded boaters to stay alert at all times. In addition, they stressed that safe speed matters on busy waters. As a result, they urged everyone to be more careful near marine life.
Experts Warn About Whale’s Situation
Finally, marine experts say the grey whale may be nutritionally stressed. In other words, it could be trying to feed more to build strength. However, it has chosen to feed in a busy, urban area.
In addition, experts confirmed this is not the well-known whale “Little Patch,” which drew attention last year near Vancouver.
