Whale collides with ferry Tustumena

The ferry Tustumena passengers traveling to Kodiak watched a whale collide with the vessel Wednesday morning.

A photo taken on board the Tustumena. and shared with DOT officials. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation)
A photo taken on board the Tustumena. and shared with DOT officials. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation)

NOAA received a report of the incident from the Alaska Marine Highway System, according to NOAA Fisheries Alaska region spokeswoman Julie Speegle.

Eyewitnesses say a whale breached into the side of the ferry, Speegle said.

“Afterwards, the whale was seen swimming abnormally and then it sank out of sight,” she said. “From the force of the breach, it is likely that this whale suffered mortal injuries.”

The whale struck the ferry’s starboard stabilization fin.

“Divers took a look at the stabilizer, and it was able to be retracted,” DOT public information officer Aurah Landau said. “The vessel can run safely as is without that one stabilizer, and so we don’t anticipate needing repairs at this point.”

The ferry schedule will not be affected, Landau said.

Speegle said NOAA may be able to learn more, such as the whale’s species, if its body floats to the surface.

KMXT - Kodiak

KMXT is our partner station in Kodiak. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

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