Cruise ships urged to slow down after dead pregnant whale was found on bow of Royal Caribbean vessel
A pregnant endangered fin whale was found dead on the bow of the Ovation of the Seas upon its arrival in Seward, Alaska. Conservationists and residents are demanding a 10-knot speed limit in whale-populated areas to prevent future collisions. Royal Caribbean is cooperating with NOAA as investigators examine the incident.
What changed
New reports indicate that Seward residents held a memorial for the whale on Friday.
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Royal Caribbean Urged to Limit Ship Speeds After Pregnant Whale Death
confidence 90%A pregnant endangered fin whale was found dead on the bow of the Ovation of the Seas upon its arrival in Seward, Alaska. Conservationists and residents are demanding a 10-knot speed limit in whale-populated areas to prevent future collisions. Royal Caribbean is cooperating with NOAA as investigators examine the incident.
What's confirmed:
- The Royal Caribbean ship Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, with a dead pregnant endangered fin whale on its bow.
- The Center for Biological Diversity requested that Royal Caribbean voluntarily limit ship speeds to 10 knots in areas where whales are present.
- Royal Caribbean is cooperating with NOAA regarding the incident.
- Seward residents and the Center for Biological Diversity organized a public memorial and procession for the whale on Friday.
Still unconfirmed:
- AIS data shows the Ovation of the Seas was traveling at 15 to 20 knots before the strike.
- Preliminary findings show a ship strike killed the whale.