According to BC Ferries, the whale surfaced directly in front of the vessel, Sunday afternoon.
Update: 10:45 a.m., Oct. 19
In an email to Coast Reporter, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed it received reports of a collision between the Queen of Surrey and a humpback whale between Grace Point and Keats Island, Oct. 18.
The DFO said according to BC Ferries, two humpback whales were observed in close proximity at the time of the incident. One whale was reportedly struck after surfacing in front of the ferry and was subsequently observed behind the vessel.
“This is an unfortunate incident,” the email continued. “DFO is reviewing the situation and will work to identify the whale and assess its condition.” The DFO noted BC Ferries is cooperating with the investigation.
Update: 9:50 a.m., Oct. 19
BC Ferries says at this time, have no confirmed information regarding the condition of the whale. They added, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported, and the Queen of Surrey remained safe to operate and continued in service following the incident.
BC Ferries has confirmed that while travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, the Queen of Surrey was involved in a collision with a humpback whale in the waters south of Grace Island.
In an email to Coast Reporter, BC Ferries said, “We are deeply concerned about this incident and the potential impact on the whale. Based on initial reports, the whale surfaced directly in front of the vessel, leaving the crew with very little time to react.
“The incident was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities, and we are working with them to understand the circumstances and any impacts on the whale.”
BC Ferries added, protecting marine life is an important responsibility.
“Our crews receive specialized training in whale awareness and follow established operating protocols to reduce the risk of collisions. Unfortunately, despite these precautions, collisions can still occur. We take incidents like this very seriously and will continue working with our partners to reduce risks to marine mammals.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.