TSB won’t open investigation into tour boat collision with humpback whale near Victoria

TSB won't open investigation into tour boat collision with humpback whale near Victoria
CHEK

File photo of a humpback whale breaking through the water.

There will not be a formal investigation after a whale-watching tour boat struck a humpback whale off the coast of British Columbia, the Transportation Safety Board said Friday.

The Prince of Whales Whale Watching boat, which was one of the smaller zodiac vessels, struck the whale near the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve on Aug 7. There were 12 people on board at the time. Two of the passengers were taken to the hospital.

READ MORE: Industry making changes after whale watching boat strikes humpback

The company said the humpback whale surfaced for air unexpectedly in front of the boat. The bow of the boat went up in the air and came down on the starboard side, which is when the two passengers were injured. The whale was believed to be uninjured.

The Transporation Safety Board (TSB) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans were looking into the incident. On Friday, the TSB said the collision was a Class 5 occurrence. That means the TSB is speaking with the company and a summary of facts will be added to a database for analysis, statistical reporting, or archival purposes.

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!