CHATHAM, Mass. \u2014 A Cape Cod fisherman and his family got an up-close encounter with a pod of humpback whales that they say they will never forget.<\/p>\n
Viktor Tuleika was tuna fishing off Chatham on Wednesday with his family when they spotted a pod of humpback whales in the distance. Tuleika said they stopped about a quarter mile away from the animals and began setting up their fishing rods.<\/p>\n
But the whales soon came much closer than expected.<\/p>\n
Cell phone video recorded by Tuleika shows the whales surfacing near the boat as his family reacts in amazement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is better than tuna. They\u2019re kissing our boat, guys. There is another one. Oh my goodness. Holy macaroni,\u201d Tuleika is heard saying during the encounter.<\/p>\n
One of the whales then appeared to bump the boat, creating a dramatic moment that was captured on camera.<\/p>\n
Tuleika said he only had seconds to react and described it as a \u2018kiss.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a couple of seconds. I pulled the phone and I see this huge, amazing animal… heading towards the boat. I was actually trying to yell at him, like getaway. And he ended up pushing the boat or bumping into the boat. But he pushed the boat like a feather, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite spending years fishing in waters where whales are a common sight, Tuleika said nothing prepared him for an encounter like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t really describe it. Words can\u2019t really describe it. You have to feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tuleika was fishing with his family, including his 11-year-old son. He hopes it will be a memory they carry with them for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n
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