Coast Guard
Mission to help whales, boaters
U.S. Coast Guard crews conducted patrols off Maui earlier this month in support of Operation Kohola Guardian, a cooperative effort between state and federal agencies to monitor boaters and to reduce risks to whales and mariners.
The operation usually runs the first several months of the year, when the whales are most numerous in Hawaiian waters. Through recreational boardings and outreach, the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry and a Coast Guard Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium informed multiple vessel masters operating in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary of the requirements to maintain a safe distance from whales and to not impede the whales’ path.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point also conducted an aerial patrol to report sightings of vessels getting too close to whales to the cutter and boat crews for outreach opportunities during the Jan. 16 event.
Every year, humpback whales migrate to Hawaii to find mates and to give birth. The main Hawaiian Islands may contain the largest seasonal population of North Pacific humpbacks in the world. Of the 21,000 humpback whales in existence, the population that uses Hawaii’s waters as its main wintering ground is estimated at more than 10,000 animals. The North Pacific stock is considered recovered and no longer endangered, but it still is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The operation’s goal was for the Coast Guard to partner with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which manages the sanctuary, “to inform the public of the regulations governing interaction with protected marine species and deter operators from deliberately getting close to these animals, which is illegal and dangerous,” said Lt. j.g. Brian Waters, Sector Honolulu enforcement.
“The goal of this operation is to inform the public and promote responsible use of the waterways during the annual migration and concentration of humpback whales within the waters off Maui,” he said.
Mariners and visitors are reminded to:
≤ Keep a sharp lookout. Vessel operators should always stay vigilant for whales and other collision hazards. Look out ahead for puffs of mist, dorsal fins and tails. Operators are advised to post at least one dedicated whale lookout, in addition to the operator, during whale season from November through May.
≤ Watch speed. The Coast Guard recommend vessels travel at a slow, safe speed in areas where a whale strike may occur. This speed depends on vessel type, time of day, sea conditions and other factors that affect whale detection and avoidance. Research shows that collisions occurring at vessel speeds above 10 knots (11.5 mph) cause more whale deaths and serious injuries than collisions occurring at slower speeds.
≤ Stay at the helm. Keep hands on the wheel and throttle at all times and be ready to take action immediately to avoid a whale ahead.
≤ Keep distance. Once whales are sighted, stay more than 100 yards away.
≤ Stop immediately. If within 100 yards or less of a humpback whale, leave engines running, out of gear, until the whale moves away.
≤ Pass astern of whales. While maintaining more than 100 yards distance, if encountering whales in the path, do not attempt to run out in front of whales to get past.
≤ Warn other vessels. Use appropriate VHF radio protocol or other means to alert other vessels that may not be aware of whales in their paths.
≤ Don’t assume whales see vessels or will move. Calves are especially vulnerable since they are curious and may not have learned to be cautious of vessels.
≤ Plan ahead for delays. Avoiding whales may take time; build in some buffer and avoid nighttime operations if possible.
Call the NOAA Hotline (888) 256-9840 if involved in a collision. If a phone call is not possible, hail the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
Never touch, handle or ride marine wildlife. Touching wildlife or attempting to do so can injure the animal, put the individual at risk and may be illegal for certain species.