Cruise ships urged to slow after dead pregnant whale found on bow
The Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 carrying a dead pregnant endangered fin whale on its bow. Preliminary findings indicate the whale was killed by a strike from the ship. Conservationists and local residents are now demanding that cruise lines limit speeds to 10 knots in whale habitats to prevent future collisions.
What changed
New reports detail a federal investigation and specific speed data analysis following the whale strike.
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Royal Caribbean Ship Arrives in Seward With Dead Pregnant Fin Whale on Bow
confidence 90%The Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 carrying a dead pregnant endangered fin whale on its bow. Preliminary findings indicate the whale was killed by a strike from the ship. Conservationists and local residents are now demanding that cruise lines limit speeds to 10 knots in whale habitats to prevent future collisions.
What's confirmed:
- Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, with a dead pregnant endangered fin whale on its bow.
- The whale was found on the ship's bulbous bow.
- Preliminary findings show a strike by the ship killed the whale.
- The ship arrived in port on June 19.
- Royal Caribbean is cooperating with NOAA regarding the incident.
- The Center for Biological Diversity has requested that Royal Caribbean voluntarily limit ship speeds to 10 knots in whale-frequented areas.
Still unconfirmed:
- AIS data shows the Ovation of the Seas was traveling between 15 and 20 knots before the strike.
- The ship was likely traveling at speeds that greatly increased the risk of a deadly whale strike according to a Center for Biological Diversity analysis.