In Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, shocking video captured the moment a giant humpback whale burst onto a 19-foot motor boat, smashing the skylight in the bow and left the boat bobbing aimlessly in the sea.
Over the weekend, three humpback whales attracted dozens of boaters to the waters near White Horse Beach in Plymouth to see them feed on bait fish called pogies that school in the harbour.
Humpback whales may grow up to 66,000 pounds in weight and an average length of 49 to 52 feet.
On Sunday about 10 a.m., the whales were “surge feeding,” which is when they swim under their food and scoop them up as they rise out of the water.
Whales eat by opening their enormous mouths and scooping up as many fish as they can.
In Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, shocking video captured the moment a giant humpback whale burst onto a 19-foot motor boat, smashing the skylight in the bow and left the boat bobbing aimlessly in the sea.
Over the weekend, three humpback whales attracted dozens of boaters to the waters near White Horse Beach in Plymouth to see them feed on bait fish called pogies that school in the harbour.
Humpback whales may grow up to 66,000 pounds in weight and an average length of 49 to 52 feet.
On Sunday about 10 a.m., the whales were “surge feeding,” which is when they swim under their food and scoop them up as they rise out of the water.
Whales eat by opening their enormous mouths and scooping up as many fish as they can.
Ryder Parkhurst, who witnessed the incident, told NBC Boston that it was “crazy.” Simply put, the man was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Bang! It appears! Right on the man’s boat’s bow.
Parkhurst told the station, “I just saw the boat go freaking flying, it was crazy.” “It was crazy.” I found it hard to believe it was still floating.
The boat was only slightly damaged and was able to return to the boat ramp safely.
Justin Enggasser, whose son captured the film from a kayak about 100 feet away, said, “It was really stunning.” The bow truly did submerge, so it was a huge relief to see the boat rise again.
None of the guests on board the ship were wounded, other than being rattled.
Plymouth Harbormaster Chad Hunter told CBS News Boston, “If someone had been on the bow of that boat, this truly might have been a horrible story.”
Under the Marine Mammals Act, it is forbidden to pursue or harass whales, and Hunter has given the Massachusetts Environmental Police, who are conducting an investigation, the film and all other information he gathered at the incident.
We advise boaters to be cautious if they detect a spout, he told CBS.
Hunter warned boats in a press release that the whales might also suffer harm.
Despite its rarity, Hunter noted, “this meeting serves as a reminder that these interactions can be hazardous for both sailors and whales.”
The encounters might not be as uncommon as he claims.
Paddle boarder Bob Babcock caught another close call between a motorboat and a whale a few days before to the boat-busting breech.
The video captures the moment he paddled out at dawn as the water beside a fishing boat started to boil with rising fish.
Then, a whale’s back broke the surface, elevating the boat just enough for both men to grab the gunwales to brace themselves.
The leader of the conservation organisation Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Regina Asmutis-Silva, stated that feeding whales are frequently distracted whales, making it even more crucial for boaters to be on the lookout for them.