Reducing risk of collisions with whales avoiding collisions prevents damage to ships, and injuries to passengers, crew and whales.

the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing detailed guidance in a leaflet, for minimizing the risk of collisions between ships and whales.

The leaflet gives a brief summary of some things to consider as described here bellow:

1. Passage planning
Minimising the risk of collisions with whales should become a regular part of planning a passage. The best way to reduce risk is to avoid areas with the most whales. Planning well in advance may allow an area to be avoided with minimal additional passage time. If it is not possible to avoid known areas of high whale density, then try to plan to slow down in these areas. There is good evidence that the risk to whales is substantially less from ships travelling at 10 knots compared to 15 knots or more.

In some areas, Coast Guards may be able to provide information on locations of recent whale sightings and likely high density areas.

2. Keeping watch
Large ships have little ability to avoid whales which surface directly ahead of them. However, watch officers should be aware of what action they should take if whales are seen. Large whales can often be seen at distances of several miles and seeing one whale is often a strong indication that there are likely to be others in the area. Modest course alterations away from sightings can reduce collision risk with other individuals in the same aggregation. Having a dedicated observer scanning ahead with binoculars will help to detect whales at greater distances. Keep as far from whales as possible and do not approach closer than a quarter of a mile unless unavoidable.

Smaller ships, including sailing vessels, are more likely to be damaged by collisions with whales and should be prepared for direct avoidance manoeuvres. Watch officers should be on high alert if any whales are sighted. Consider reducing speed in poor sightings conditions as well as in response to seeing whales.

3. Reporting incidents
More information helps understand the problem and the factors that affect collision risk. All reports of collisions are valuable and will help avoid these incidents in the future. Please report any whale struck, stuck on the bow, carcasses observed at sea, significant or abnormal sightings such as whales in unusually large numbers, to the appropriate coast guard or maritime authority. Use the International Whaling Commission (IWC) template to report on any collision incident at http://www.iwcoftice.org/sci_com/shipstrikes.htm or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4. Measures available through the IMO and national legislation
In some waters, measures have been taken to minimize the risk of collision with whales. These measures include the re-alignment of Traffic Separations Schemes, the creation of Areas to be Avoided, Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems, Advisories to Mariners and speed restrictions.

5. Scientific research
There is no simple solution to the problem of ship strikes. Scientists are looking at ways of modelling distribution patterns of whales and ships to identify high risk areas, developing autonomous off-shore buoys that listen for whales, and systems for relaying information from observations of whales to mariners.

In this respect, attached hereto please find a Circular Letter regarding “Advice to help avoid collisions with whales”.

The office of the Belgium IWC Commissioner has issued the following letter referring to the above information.

From the office of the Belgium IWC Commissioner Chair, Ship Strikes Working Group.

“There is a growing awareness of the worldwide problem of collisions between ships and whales. In some incidents there has been serious damage to the ship. Severe or even fatal injuries to passengers have occurred involving hydrofoil ferries, whale-watching vessels and recreational craft. In most collisions, a whale struck by a ship is killed or left severely injured. Although many collisions go unnoticed, information gathered from the incidents that are witnessed is critical to solving the problem.

Since 2005, ship strikes with whales, dolphins and porpoises have been a priority issue for the work of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Belgium is leading the process in order to (i) increase awareness (ii) identify measures to reduce the number of ships strikes, and (iii) obtain acceptance of these measures by the maritime sector. A key tool to use is the ship strikes database accessible through the IWC website.  It is critical that the maritime industry assists and provides the data needed to inform decision-making that will reduce risks in the future.”

This is why the Government of Belgium has commissioned this leaflet.

Alexandre de Lichtervelde
IWC Commissioner and Chair Ship Strikes Working Group

PLEASE REPORT ANY COLLISIONS WITH WHALES TO IWC
www.iwcoffice.org/sci_com/shipstrikes.htm
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or contact your local ship strikes co-ordinator or whale stranding network.

Infomarine On-Line Technical Library

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