Marine conservation authorities are currently on a search mission for a humpback whale that sustained injuries after being hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel in Howe Sound on Sunday. The collision involving the Queen of Surrey vessel occurred between Grace Point and Keats Island, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
Two humpback whales were sighted in close proximity to the ferry at the time of the incident, with one of them being struck. Passengers on board the ferry, traveling from Langdale on the Sunshine Coast to Horseshoe Bay, reported feeling the impact of the collision and witnessing the distressed whale behind the vessel.
Aspen Wing, accompanied by her son, recalled feeling the collision at 1:33 p.m. PT. She mentioned that a group of girls alerted others about the nearby whale, and her son spotted the injured humpback off the stern of the vessel. Wing described the scene as distressing, with many passengers feeling upset by the situation.
B.C. Ferries expressed deep concern over the incident and its potential impact on the whale. According to spokesperson Kit Billings, initial reports indicated that the whale appeared suddenly in front of the vessel, leaving the crew with minimal time to react.
Authorities are actively responding to the incident, coordinating with relevant agencies, and gathering essential information about the event and its implications for the whale. DFO confirmed that B.C. Ferries is fully cooperating, and a team is currently in Howe Sound searching for the injured humpback.
Nearly a year ago, on October 23, 2025, a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching company near Keats Island in Howe Sound, reminiscent of the recent incident. Days later, a four-year-old humpback whale was found dead in the same area. DFO identified the deceased humpback whale as BCY1464, known as Wisp, and initiated an investigation.
Instances of whale strikes in various coastal regions have been reported recently, including a humpback whale hit by a Hullo Ferries vessel off Vancouver, a person colliding with a grey whale while on a Sea-Doo near English Bay, and a humpback whale found deceased after an incident involving a B.C. Ferries vessel in Wright Sound.
Advocates like Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society emphasize the need for preventive measures, such as imposing reduced speeds for vessels in whale habitats. The society advocates for slower vessel speeds to minimize the risk of fatal strikes. Efforts are underway to ascertain the identity of the whale involved in the recent incident, with experts expressing concerns about the likelihood of survival for a humpback whale following such a collision.