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» Cruise Talk   » Cruise Ships   » Whale on bulbous bow (Page 1)

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Author Topic: Whale on bulbous bow
RobHolland
First Class Passenger
Member # 3779

posted 08-21-2006 01:37 PM      Profile for RobHolland   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
In the news here in The Netherlands:a 9m whale got stuck on bulbous bow of an American cruise ship which entered an Alaskan port today. My question: which ship? Nothing to find about it online yet.

No doubts that the pictures will appear soon...


Posts: 762 | From: ms Rotterdam | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged
Onno
First Class Passenger
Member # 3071

posted 08-21-2006 01:47 PM      Profile for Onno   Author's Homepage   Email Onno   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Heard the same news and wondered myself, strange actually that it got in the Dutch news, considering how often this happens. Probably some editor thought it was a cool item.
Posts: 3583 | From: the Netherlands (Berenbotje ging uit varen...) | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged
thulewx
First Class Passenger
Member # 1907

posted 08-21-2006 01:57 PM      Profile for thulewx   Email thulewx   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Another web site is reporting it was the Celebrity Summit as it arrived at Seward Alaska - 25-30 feet long, no way of telling whether the ship killed it or it was floating and the ship just picked it up (so to speak). A necropsy will be performed later - apparently a humpback whale...
Posts: 140 | From: Unadilla, Georgia | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
J.S.S.Normandie
First Class Passenger
Member # 6253

posted 08-21-2006 03:29 PM      Profile for J.S.S.Normandie     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It seems that the Summit is in the news alot lately. I hope the whale is allright. It would be unfortunate for such a lovely ship to have a dark cloud over her head.(or i should say bow )
Posts: 1197 | From: Massachusetts where the Brittania was trapped! | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-21-2006 03:39 PM      Profile for PamM   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The whale is dead JSSN.. an autopsy will be carried out to determine if Summit killed it, or just hit a carcass.

Pam


Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001  |  IP: Logged
NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-21-2006 04:53 PM      Profile for NAL     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I remember on one of ROTTERDAM V's world cruises they "speared" a whale. It also happened
when I was a/b FLANDRE on a transatlantic xing.
I was a child and remember it was fascinating as
far as I was concerned. I'd think differently today.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 08-21-2006 07:15 PM      Profile for Fairsky   Email Fairsky   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
This really isn't that uncommon. Two years ago Jewel of the Seas brought a dead whale into port on its bulb:

And another Celebrity ship, I believe Mercury, had a similar incident a few seasons back:


Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99  |  IP: Logged
Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-22-2006 04:45 AM      Profile for Sutho   Email Sutho   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well it happens alot actually - Cruise ship staff cannot be blamed for not seeing submurged whales.

Its probably pointless spending money on an autopsy - once its dead you cant bring it back. Though if a few whales are found dead then you conduct them to see if its something that can be prevented.


Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
Onno
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Member # 3071

posted 08-22-2006 08:41 AM      Profile for Onno   Author's Homepage   Email Onno   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think autopsy is a big word, often dead whales are used for study purposes anyway and the skeletons often find their way into museums.
Posts: 3583 | From: the Netherlands (Berenbotje ging uit varen...) | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged
WEBBER
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Member # 7172

posted 08-22-2006 09:30 AM      Profile for WEBBER   Email WEBBER   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
This use to happen alot with union castle liners in the 70s
Posts: 19 | From: SOUTHAMPTON | Registered: Aug 2006  |  IP: Logged
PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-22-2006 09:35 AM      Profile for PamM   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
One dead whale was brought into Barcelona by a ferry earlier this year.


Pic & article in Spanish here. Willem has a better photo in Part 6 [pic 26] of his Oceanic Trip this year.

There has been a lot of study into why whales don't seem to get out the way of ships. Some thought is that they may purely be 'asleep' at the time, others say they have been made deaf by man. One such article and the research is here.

Pam


Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001  |  IP: Logged
Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-22-2006 10:03 AM      Profile for Frosty 4   Email Frosty 4   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I wonder if the shape of the bow has anything to do with it as it might be mistaken for another whale. We do see a lot of other mammals(dolphins) getting close to the ship. ??? Just a thought??
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged
Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2006 10:12 AM      Profile for Ernst   Author's Homepage   Email Ernst   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I doubt that it's the shape. (of the bulb) Dolphins also get VERY close to ships without bulbous bow - also, the shape and size differes quite a bit for a dolphin or whale and I am sure that the refelction of the sound waves - and this is the major perception of these animals - is very different. This must be something different.

One nevertheless gets the impression that these events occur more often recently - whether this is really the case or whether it is only the preception via moderm media is another issue.

Has anyone information on the regulations concerning Glacier bay? I heard that the number of ships has initally been more limited and then later increased a bit as it has been found that whales are much less anoyed by the (noise of the?) ships.


Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged
cruiseshipluver
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Member # 5104

posted 08-22-2006 10:59 AM      Profile for cruiseshipluver   Author's Homepage   Email cruiseshipluver   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
And nowadays, the bulbs are painted the same colour as the boot so i can't see how a whale or dolphin could mistake a RED, BLUE or GREEN bulb for a relative?
cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004  |  IP: Logged
sslewis
First Class Passenger
Member # 3649

posted 08-22-2006 01:33 PM      Profile for sslewis   Author's Homepage   Email sslewis   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
ssFrance also brought a whale in New-York in the 70's?
Is it only ships fitted with a "bulbous bow" that catches whales?

I wonder if it also happened to ship retro-fitted like ssBremen(built as Pasteur1939) and ssGolden Odyssey(built as ssShalom)?


Posts: 2513 | From: Shipspotting Solent shores when weather allows.... | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
Caronia II
First Class Passenger
Member # 5223

posted 08-22-2006 02:37 PM      Profile for Caronia II     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by cruiseshipluver:
And nowadays, the bulbs are painted the same colour as the boot so i can't see how a whale or dolphin could mistake a RED, BLUE or GREEN bulb for a relative?
cruiseshipluver

it's not the color... whales don't seem to use their eyes for recognition even close up. It's the form signature. Whales and Dolphins use their somar to create a kind of mental image of the shape of something and the form of the bulb could be mistaken for some sort of animal.


Posts: 181 | From: LA-ish | Registered: Nov 2004  |  IP: Logged
Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2006 03:54 PM      Profile for Ernst   Author's Homepage   Email Ernst   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I doubt it has something to do with the bulb - other than on a 'conventional' bow (which is actually less conventional these days) the animals can be caught on the bulb whereas this is not possible with other geometries. Also whales and dolphins can 'percieve' ships and avoid collisions - this must be something else. (noise - illness - 'sleeping' - whatever)
Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged
lasuvidaboy
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Member # 4527

posted 08-22-2006 07:04 PM      Profile for lasuvidaboy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Ernst:
I doubt it has something to do with the bulb - other than on a 'conventional' bow (which is actually less conventional these days) the animals can be caught on the bulb whereas this is not possible with other geometries. Also whales and dolphins can 'percieve' ships and avoid collisions - this must be something else. (noise - illness - 'sleeping' - whatever)

I agree. The whale could have already been dead or very ill.


Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged
Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-22-2006 09:06 PM      Profile for Sutho   Email Sutho   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Yeah whales dont usually use their eyes - they have great hearing underwater.

A ship is long and it could all be a error of judgement if they go in front of the ship - there is no engine/prop sound.

I know dolphins are attracted to ships they love doing their jumps around the side and bow - it is great to see if you ever get the chance.


Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2006 09:26 PM      Profile for Ernst   Author's Homepage   Email Ernst   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Sutho:
[..] - there is no engine/prop sound.[..]

Oh, there is a lot of noise coming from ships - everywhere (!) in the ocean - not only near ships (and therefore also at the bow) - the low frequency part can travel hundreds of kilometers - and it is quite loud too.


Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged
RobHolland
First Class Passenger
Member # 3779

posted 08-23-2006 03:21 AM      Profile for RobHolland   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You're right Ernst, the ship causes lots of sound. Certainly those kind of animals hear it from far away. Also have to mention the echo sounder which works with sound pulses and possibly can interfere with the whales' 'navigation system'. Best thing to do when spotting whale(s) is to maintain the present course and if possible reduce speed. This is the best way for the whale to indicate the ships' heading for avoiding it.
Posts: 762 | From: ms Rotterdam | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged
Sutho
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Member # 6234

posted 08-23-2006 07:04 AM      Profile for Sutho   Email Sutho   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Yeah I know how sound travels through water - whales can pinpoint the location of the props.

It is only a theory in the navy that the reason ships hit them is error of judgement by not realising the ship is as big as it is.

I know how sonar works in subs and how far sound travels - the fact is they pinpoint the props to a certain area and know that the props are not coming from the front of the ship.

Perhaps when I said "there is no engine/prop sound" I should have been more specific and said there is no engine/prop sound being radiated/created/transmitted from the bolbous bow of a ship - and made my post long for the benefit of people who only want to understand what is written in English and not bother to think where people are coming from

If people still have trouble understanding what I meant is whales pinpoint the engine prop sound as being X distance away from them, when they swim close to ships it could be an error of judgement thinking that because they are further away from the loud noise that they can move in closer making an error of judgment forgetting where the very front is and how close they are by trying to avoid what is obviously the loudest part of the ship.

maybe as well as writing long posts instead of being quick and brief I should spell it all out like this and give examples and spell words phonetically

[ 08-23-2006: Message edited by: Sutho ]


Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
Gerry
First Class Passenger
Member # 168

posted 08-23-2006 10:47 AM      Profile for Gerry     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
As famously quoted by a Cunard Captain, "its like running over a cat" Now before you shoot me, what I mean is, dogs and cats are very quick and have excellent hearing but still manage to get run over by cars. Its not because they get confused by their length or anything, its just that they don't understand what it is and have no concept of its potential oncoming disaster. Same for children running into the street after a ball, a whale just doesn't know what a ship is, may be doing something else like chasing a fish or even shooing a baby out of the way, who knows.
Posts: 315 | From: Miami, Florida, (originally from UK) | Registered: Jun 99  |  IP: Logged
shipcafe
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Member # 3959

posted 08-23-2006 12:41 PM      Profile for shipcafe   Author's Homepage   Email shipcafe   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Holland America Line has taken a proactive measure to avoid such situations . . . . .

-------

Holland America Line received the Conservation Partnership Award for taking the initiative to develop and promote the adoption of whale avoidance measures as the international cruise industry standard. The company’s dedication to protect whales, regardless of its affect on the financial bottom line, is at the forefront of marine mammal conservation among the cruise line industry. Holland America Line has made its avoidance measures and training program available to the public and cruise line industry to promote the adoption of this stewardship practice.


Posts: 314 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-23-2006 02:25 PM      Profile for NAL     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
SS LEWIS.....it was the ROYAL ODYSSEY not GOLDEN ODYSSEY that was the former SHALOM.
Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged

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