Fact Page

As trusted stewards of the oceans in which we operate, Fugro Pelagos has set up this Web page to ensure all interested parties have the most current and reliable information about the circumstances surrounding the October 19, 2009 whale strike incident off the coast of Mendocino County, Calif. We ask that any additional inquiries be made with
David Oates, Stalwart Communications at david@stalwartcom.com or 858.750.5560.

Background

On October 19, 2009, a vessel chartered by San Diego-based Fugro Pelagos, was traveling at a slow rate of speed, 5.5 knots (6.5 miles per hour), on a straight due East course approximately three kilometers (1.86 miles) from shore in Mendocino, Calif. Without prior warning, a large shudder was felt on the vessel followed by an engine alarm produced by the port engine stalling. A 72-foot blue whale was then spotted directly off of the stern with a wound producing blood from the top of its back.  Based on accounts of the incident and the nature of the collision, it can only be surmised that the whale was submerged and surfaced directly under the aft section of the hull and propellers of the vessel.

The vessel, the Pacific Star, immediately moved to a safe distance from the whale and the personnel onboard observed the situation while also promptly contacting the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Coast Guard to inform them of the incident. When it became apparent that the whale was no longer moving and that there was nothing more the vessel could do, the Pacific Star then slowly moved closer to take photographs and gather information to make the proper follow-on written reports to NMFS within the 24-hour required timeframe. When the whale washed up on shore later, Fugro Pelagos also provided resources and funds to assist with the disposal of the mammal, though it is not required by law to do so.

NMFS regulators are currently investigating the incident, and we have and will continue to fully cooperate with them to ensure all the facts surrounding this very unfortunate incident are presented without bias in order for the investigators to complete their very important work. In addition, Fugro Pelagos has commenced its own investigation under its own environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004 to see if and how such an incident could have been avoided.  

All of the company’s employees and subcontractors associated with the vessel and this operation are deeply saddened by this incident.  In the decades that the company has been in existence, no accident of this type has ever occurred and while there was no loss of human life, we recognize the loss that comes with the death of such a large and majestic marine mammal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big was the Pacific Star in relation to the blue whale?
Operated by Seattle-based Ocean Services, the Pacific Star is a 176-foot research vessel that displaces 195 tons with a 14-foot draft when the data collecting underwater sensors are taken into account. The blue whale was reported to be 72 feet in length.  

What exactly was the Pacific Star doing at the time of the incident?
The ship was facilitating the performance of a hydrographic survey off the coast of Northern California for Fugro Pelagos’ client, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Our company and our parent organization, Fugro, NV, utilizes hundreds of vessels in thousands of miles of oceans and seas worldwide to conduct such operations, and are proud of our long-standing safety record. In our more than 30-year North American history, Fugro Pelagos has never been involved in such an unfortunate incident before. We will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities as well as conduct our own internal investigation to ensure all the facts surrounding this case are presented without bias.

What type of equipment was the Pacific Star using to conduct the hydrographic survey?
The ship is equipped with a Reson Seabat 7125 multibeam echo sounder system, a commercial-off-the-shelf product used for bathymetric surveys, most commonly of seafloor and lake water depths. It is a low-power device that operates at 400kHz. The type of data gathering being conducted required the Pacific Star to also operate on a straight course at a slow and consistent rate of speed, which is exactly what the ship was doing at the time of the incident.

Had Fugro Pelagos contracted services with the Pacific Star before this incident?
Yes. Fugro Pelagos have had a working relationship with this vessel and its crew for approximately two years. We’ve contracted them and other ships through Seattle-based Ocean Services, Inc, a vessel management company that we’ve used for several years.

When was Fugro Pelagos awarded the contract by NOAA for this particular survey work?
July 30, 2009. We’ve conducted more than 20 such initiatives for NOAA within the past decade, each time meeting expectations without incident.

Could the Echo Sounder have disoriented the whale and thus caused the strike to happen?
The investigation is currently underway to determine the reasons that this incident occurred, and we have and will continue to cooperate fully with state authorities on this matter as well as press on with our own internal review. What we can tell you, however, is that the echo sounder system is similar in performance to ones used by commercial and recreational fish finders, cruise liners, freight ships and other similar vessels, and does not have an observed history of harming marine life.

Additionally, sound rapidly fades as it passes through the water column, so realistic exposure to marine life inside the sound beam that was generated by the Pacific Star’s equipment would be minimal. Any marine life within the water column would need to be positioned within the sound beam and match the course and speed of the vessel for prolonged exposure. Having said all that, Fugro Pelagos is fully cooperating with authorities in their important investigation as well as undergoing its own systematic review under our existing environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004 in order to do what we can to ensure that such an incident – which has never occurred in our more than 30 year history – never happens again.

Why didn’t anyone see the whale before the actual strike?
While the current investigation will look into this particular matter as well as all facts of the case, it is important to note that blue whales are well known to stay underwater from seven to 15 minutes between each series of dives, and it is extremely difficult to predict where they are going to surface at any time. Furthermore, marine biologists estimate that blue whales spend only about five to 10 percent of their life at the surface.

It should also be noted that in this case, based on accounts of the incident and the nature of the collision, it can only be surmised that the whale was submerged and surfaced directly under the aft section of the hull and propellers of the vessel. It does not appear to have been struck by the bow of Pacific Star. Regardless, Fugro Pelagos is fully cooperating with authorities in their important investigation as well as undergoing its own systematic review under our existing environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004 in order to do what we can to ensure that such an incident – which has never occurred in our more than 30 year history – never happens again.

How can you be sure that the Pacific Star didn’t run over the whale?
The vessel was equipped with several sensitive hull-mounted sensors as part of the hydrographic survey work it was conducting at the time. None of these instruments in the mid-part of the ship was damaged in any way. Regardless, Fugro Pelagos is fully cooperating with authorities in their important investigation as well as undergoing its own systematic review under our existing environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004 in order to do what we can to ensure that such an incident – which has never occurred in our more than 30 year history – never happens again.

At what speeds are vessels normally going when whale strikes occur?
While we don’t know the answer to that question, we do know that environmental organizations such as Pacific Environment's Marine Sanctuaries Campaign advocates that ships transit at a speed of 10 knots for large vessels in  National Marine Sanctuaries and state Marine Protected Areas in order to reduce fatal ship strikes of marine mammals. At the time of the incident, the Pacific Star was going 5.5 knots – nearly half the speed recommended to avoid such an incident. Also, while the investigation is still ongoing, we surmise that the whale was submerged and surfaced directly under the aft section of the hull and propellers of the vessel based on accounts of the incident and the nature of the collision. Fugro Pelagos prides itself on being good stewards of the sea.

There was significant cost and effort in the clean up of the whale onshore. Who bears that burden?
Though not required to do so, Fugro Pelagos donated money and resources to assist with the removal of the blue whale and will continue to support such efforts. We pride ourselves on being good stewards of the sea and the communities in which we operate; not just because it’s good for business, but because it’s the absolute right thing to do.

What regulations govern these types of operations?
Standard safety of navigation practices are always in effect, which with we fully comply for all of our survey work, including the one we did in October with the Pacific Star on behalf of NOAA. There are state permits required for geophysical survey work; defined by state regulations as operations that measure and record physical properties of subsurface geologic structures, and are usually associated with mineral exploration and underwater development. Such operations require higher-powered equipment than the ones that were aboard the Pacific Star.

What is the difference between a hydrographic and a geophyscial survey?
A hydrographic survey measures only the sea floor’s surface, usually for the purposes of mapping depth. A geophysical survey, as defined by the state permitting regulations, uses high-powered equipment to measure and record the physical properties of subsurface geologic structures, and is typically associated with mineral exploration and development instead of mapping evolutions. Utilizing hundreds of vessels in thousands of miles of oceans and seas worldwide, Fugro Pelagos takes great care to ensure that it is in compliance with all appropriate regulations and permits for all its operations.

Does Fugro Pelagos hold such a permit?
Yes. We take great care to ensure that we are in compliance with all appropriate regulations and permits for all our operations. In fact, we recently renewed our geophysical survey permit on October 1, 2009 with the previous one not expiring until October 16. Fugro Pelagos prides itself on being good stewards of the sea; not just because it’s good for business, but because it’s the absolute right thing to do.

Do you have any photos or videos documenting the whale strike?
The Pacific Star did take photographs immediately following the incident, and those were properly turned over to NMFS for review. We are not able to provide them as the investigation is still underway. We will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities as well as conduct our own internal investigation to ensure all the facts surrounding this case are presented without bias.

With whom can we contact for more information?
All inquires should be made to David Oates at david@stalwartcom.com or 858.750.5560. We will do our very best to respond in a timely manner.