Marine conservation officials are currently on a search mission for an injured humpback whale that was hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel in Howe Sound over the weekend. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reported that the incident involving the Queen of Surrey ferry occurred between Grace Point and Keats Island. Witnesses observed two humpback whales near the ferry, with one of them being struck.
Passengers on board the ferry traveling from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay felt the impact of the collision and witnessed the distressed whale behind the vessel. Aspen Wing, accompanied by her son, recounted feeling the collision at 1:33 p.m. PT. Upon hearing shouts from other passengers about the nearby whale, her son spotted the injured humpback at the stern of the ferry. Wing expressed the emotional distress felt by many passengers witnessing the situation, stating that seeing the whale in agony was deeply upsetting.
B.C. Ferries expressed serious concern over the incident and its potential consequences on the whale. Spokesperson Kit Billings mentioned that the crew had limited time to react as the whale surfaced directly in front of the vessel. Efforts are underway to respond to the incident, inform relevant authorities, and gather accurate details about the event and its impact on the whale.
DFO stated that they are collaborating with B.C. Ferries in the investigation. A DFO team is currently in Howe Sound attempting to locate the injured whale. The incident comes almost a year after a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching company near Keats Island in 2025, resulting in the death of another humpback in the same area shortly after.
Calls for slower vessel speeds in whale habitats have intensified following the recent incident. Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society emphasized the need for preventive measures to avoid such tragedies and advocated for speed restrictions for vessels in areas frequented by whales. The society aims for positive changes to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of marine wildlife.
