BajaNomad

Killed by a whale off Cabo

blackwolfmt - 3-12-2015 at 09:54 AM

http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/woman-killed-by-whale-o...

I suppose this is a rare case??

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by blackwolfmt]

Enrique2012 - 3-12-2015 at 10:53 AM

I read the story and there's no doubt in my mind that this was a hate crime! I hope the full force of the law will come down on this whale and others like him.

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 11:23 AM

Early impression/thoughts: Tragic.

The ocean is a wild/unpredictable place under best of circumstances. Sometimes people forget that- crazy/dangerous situations can arise despite best of preparations...

+It was a snorkel tour boat, not whalewatching. Could be guide/captain had little/no experience around gray whales, approached too fast/too close...

Looking ahead: What sort of investigation occurs after this type of tourism incident? Is there an agency responsible for ensuring safety on these outings? Will any future changes/regulations be proposed?

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 11:29 AM

In my 30 years of getting close to whales in lagoons, in my own boat and with others: this past month had the most contacts of whales w/pangas I've seen/heard of.

Not sure about whale behavior in Cabo/open ocean areas in Baja Sur. Whales offshore of Baja/CA are intent on moving along, rarely do more than swim.
Did see some impressive leaping - courtship?- near San Miguel many years ago, but that's rare out of lagoons.

Could things be changing for whale tourism? Maybe too many people going out, not enough guide/captain training, aggressive operators trying too hard to get too close...?

Again- what state/federal MXO regulations are in place out of lagoons? Perhaps MX will begin to address this after this tragedy.
Quote: Originally posted by blackwolfmt  
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/woman-killed-by-whale-o...

I suppose this is a rare case??

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by blackwolfmt]

rdrrm8e - 3-12-2015 at 01:09 PM

Feces occur:

Fisherman killed after whale lands on boat
September 3, 2002 Posted: 7:12 PM EDT (2312 GMT)

MORRO BAY, California (Reuters) -- A California fisherman was killed after a large whale unexpectedly breached over his boat, smashing into the deck and hurling him into the water, a Coast Guard official said on Tuesday.

Chief Michael Saindon of the Morro Bay Coast Guard Station said the body of Jerry Tibbs, A 51-year-old restaurant owner from Bakersfield, California, was recovered Monday, more than 12 hours after the accident.

"I've had countless calls where boats hit whales, but this is the first time I've ever had a whale breach and hit a boat," Saindon said. "They were just two big things in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Tibbs, the owner of Mr. Tibb's Ribbs in Bakersfield, and several companions were on a tuna fishing trip several miles offshore Sunday when the whale breached with a spectacular leap out of the water right over their boat, a 22-foot motor vessel named the "BBQ."

Saindon said the survivors reported that the whale crash landed onto the boat deck, damaging the pilot house and throwing Tibbs into the water.

There were no other reported injuries.

"The superstructure crushed and there was damage to the rails and the transom was damaged. The whale came up out of the water, landed on the superstructure, and slid back off into the water," Saindon said. "We found a lot of whale skin on the boat."

The Coast Guard, aided by the Morro Bay Harbor Patrol and aircraft from the California Highway Patrol, mounted an extensive search in the area but was hampered by heavy fog. After about 17 hours, Tibbs' body was finally located and brought back to Port San Luis, Saindon said.

Saindon said the survivors were not able to identify the type of whale, which they described as "very large." Gray whales and humpback whales are often sighted off the central California coast.

"Both gray whales and humpback whales are known to breach quite frequently," said Steven Webster, senior marine biologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California.

"You can't talk to a whale, so we don't know why they do it. It's thought that in some instances, they are just having fun, while breaching. Crashing and tail snapping is sometimes one male either trying to impress a nearby female, or telling the other males to clear off."

BajaBlanca - 3-12-2015 at 01:31 PM

Actually, I am surprised at the number of incidents mentioned in the article. Boats sinking -yikes. I did once ask the guide in the laguna de san Ignacio if he had ever witnessed an incident, to which he answered NO.

Do whales ever breach and land on each other? My thought being that perhaps they are mistaking boats for another whale?

Whale watching is one of the highlights of my Life - the awe one feels is incomparable.

CaboMagic - 3-12-2015 at 02:00 PM

Disclaimer: I am neither expert nor trained.

Condolences to the victims family and loved ones.

Tragic results from a usually extraordinary experience

In 23 years of local experience, I've learned some and deduced that in 'our' waters whales do not swim alone .. they are in (forgive if improper terminology) in schools or pods .. It is not very difficult to see where they are or what direction they are going. Altho I understand a whale may first dive down to gain momentum in the jump (breech) it is unlikely that a trajectory changes their location.

Captains have differing opinions, styles experience etc ... Some captains think getting close is what guests aboard want (especially when tv shows/documentaries) make it seem safe to do so. Some captains want to get close for their own pleasure. Most (but admittedly not all) of our captains have told me they stay a respectful distance away.*

Edited to add: *Thus it matters not whether the vessel was a fishing boat, or a designated snorkel boat or whale watching.

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by CaboMagic]

bajajudy - 3-12-2015 at 02:13 PM

The EXPERTS are saying it was more likely a humpback, not a gray. They were in a rigid inflatable which would kind look like a whale.

monoloco - 3-12-2015 at 02:28 PM

It's a tragic accident that could happen anywhere where whales are present. Whales can remain submerged for long periods and it's not always obvious where they might surface. The odds of an accident like this are probably much less than being struck by lightning.

CaboMagic - 3-12-2015 at 02:32 PM

monoloco: what I meant is that - in 'our'waters I've not seen one lone whale .. so altho I wasn't there and am purely speculating that the snorkel boat capt saw whales and went in that direction - rather than away from. I admit my speculation does nothing.

toneart - 3-12-2015 at 02:45 PM

This is all conjecture on my part because I really don't know what I am talking about. :no:

Those in the lagoons are in fairly shallow water. The whales, mostly females training their calves, bring their calves close to the viewers' boats because experience has taught them that the boats and the people in them are not there to harm them. They trust.

Whales out in the open sea behave differently than those in lagoons that are calving. They are traveling and can dive to great depths before breaching. I really don't think this whale landed on the boat with malicious intent. He may not have even been aware the boat was there. Or, if he was aware, he may have thought it was another whale, as Blanca and Cabo Magic said.

motoged - 3-12-2015 at 02:52 PM

"Canadian tourist killed in Mexico":

Do we know if contact with the whale caused the death, or did the woman die as a result of injuries sustained within the boat subsequent to the operator's maneuvering?

Tragic, regardless.

I hope the newscasts make it clear that it was this kind of incident rather than human violence and the "dangers of Mexico".


Archie - 3-12-2015 at 03:01 PM



[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Archie]

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Archie]

BajaDanD - 3-12-2015 at 03:37 PM

maybe she fell over board and drowned either way its tragic

motoged - 3-12-2015 at 03:51 PM

CBC gets it right:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/calgarian-jennifer-karren-dies-after-whale-collides-with-boat-near-cabo-san-lucas-1.2991570

AKgringo - 3-12-2015 at 04:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
CBC gets it right:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/calgarian-jennifer-karren-dies-after-whale-collides-with-boat-near-cabo-san-lucas-1.2991570


Thanks for the link. I wish more news agency's would concentrate on being the first to "get it right" than being the first to get a headline!

blackwolfmt - 3-12-2015 at 04:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
CBC gets it right:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/calgarian-jennifer-karren-dies-after-whale-collides-with-boat-near-cabo-san-lucas-1.2991570


Thanks for the link. I wish more news agency's would concentrate on being the first to "get it right" than being the first to get a headline!

Akgringo were U referring to the MSN link I don't see a prob with there report they clearly say

"The exact circumstances of the incident are unclear"

Bajahowodd - 3-12-2015 at 04:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajudy  
The EXPERTS are saying it was more likely a humpback, not a gray. They were in a rigid inflatable which would kind look like a whale.


I tend to agree with you. Cabo San Lucas Bay is not where Grey Whales breed. They have traditionally used shallow lagoons to avoid the Orcas.

News/video: Boaters say (Blue?) whales capsized their 23-foot vessel off San Diego coast

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 04:57 PM

From last year, proving: Whales can be clumsy also...

Boaters say whales capsized their 23-foot vessel off San Diego coast
SAN DIEGO - Two boaters were dumped into the ocean off the coast of San Diego Wednesday when their 23-foot vessel overturned after it was hit by two whales. The non-injury mishap was reported shortly after noon, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. "It was just total shock and surprise to turn around and see that whale right behind me," said boat captain Cici Sayer.

Wildlife photographer Dale Frinks, who was also on board, captured an image of one of the whales. It is believed to be a blue whale. When asked about how big the whale's mouth was, Frinks answered, "We could have ... Feels like we could have fit that truck over there inside of it."

The whole encounter was captured on video. "I saw me looking very ridi- cu-lous, falling in the water but still getting the shot, so I don't know if I'm proud of myself or not yet," he said. Another boater reported the accident and helped get the victims out of the water, USCG Petty Officer Connie Terrell said. A commercial salvage vessel then was called out to right the foundered boat.

The boaters said they believed two whales struck their vessel, causing it to flip over.

U.S. Coast Guard crews did not respond to the incident, but a Coast Guard official told 10News they monitored the distress call that was made and were ready to respond if needed.

NOTE: Video captured by Dale Frink of DaleFrink.com

www.10news.com/news/boat-overturns-after-hitting-whale-off-s...

toneart - 3-12-2015 at 05:01 PM

"Whales can be clumsy also..."--Whale-ista
Yep! That is what I think as to the cause of these incidents.

sargentodiaz - 3-12-2015 at 05:22 PM

WE are invading THEIR habitat and they are acting as they have for millennia. It's a matter of too many of US being where we're not supposed to be.

basautter - 3-12-2015 at 07:13 PM

Been there, done that (at least not too far away). A very unfortunate accident. My sympathy to her family.:(

PROFEPA Information on whale incident

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 08:50 PM

Tried posting text but too many special characters so it would not post properly.

http://www.profepa.gob.mx/innovaportal/v/6908/1/mx/muere_tur...

Sounds like there was a nurse on board to try to assist the injured women. Despite mouth-to-mouth resuscitation she did not make it and died at the hospital.

[Edited on 3-13-2015 by Whale-ista]