avoiding collisions prevents damage to ships, and
Reducing risk of collisions with whales
WHALES:
avoiding collisions prevents damage to ships, and injuries to passengers, crew and whales.
Advice to help avoid collisions with whales The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed a guidance document for minimising the risk of collisions between ships and whales. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is also working to address the issue.
1 Passage planning Minimising the risk of collisions with whales can become a regular part of planning a passage. The best way to reduce risk is to avoid areas with the most whales. Planning well in advance may allow an area to be avoided with minimal additional passage time. If it is not possible to avoid known areas of high whale density, then try to plan to slow down in these areas. There is good scientific evidence that the risk to whales is substantially less from ships travelling at 10 knots compared to 15 knots or more. In some areas coast guards may be able to provide information on locations of recent whale sightings and likely high density areas.
2 Keeping watch Large ships have little ability to avoid whales which surface directly ahead of them. However, watch officers should be aware of what action they should take if whales are seen. Large whales can often be seen at distances of several miles and seeing one whale is often a strong indication that there are likely to be others in the area. Modest course alterations away from sightings can reduce collision risk with other individuals in the same aggregation. Having a dedicated observer scanning ahead with binoculars will help to detect whales at greater distances. Keep as far from whales as possible and do not approach closer than a quarter of a mile unless unavoidable. Smaller ships, including sailing vessels, are more likely to be damaged by collisions with whales and should be prepared for direct avoidance manoeuvres. Watch officers should be on high alert if any whales are sighted. Consider reducing speed in poor sightings conditions as well as in response to seeing whales.
3 Reporting incidents More information helps understand the problem and the factors that affect collision risk. All reports of collisions are valuable and can help avoid these incidents in the future. Please report any whale struck, stuck on the bow, carcasses observed at sea, significant or abnormal sightings such as whales in unusually large numbers, to the appropriate coast guard or maritime authority. Use the International Whaling Commission (IWC) template to report on any collision incident at www.iwc.int/ship-strikes or email [email protected].
4 Measures available through the IMO and national legislation In some waters, measures have been taken to minimize the risk of collision with whales. These measures include the re-alignment of Traffic Separations Schemes, the creation of Areas To Be Avoided, Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems, Advisories to Mariners and speed restrictions.
5 Scientific research There is no simple solution to the problem of ship strikes. Scientists are looking at ways of modelling distribution patterns of whales and ships to identify high risk areas, developing autonomous off-shore buoys that listen for whales, and systems for relaying information from observations of whales to mariners.
Photos © IFAW
70°40'0"
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The approaches to Boston harbour cross an important area for right and other whales. Risk has been reduced by moving shipping lanes slightly to avoid high density areas.
42°20'0"
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°30'0"N
ry tua
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ellwagen
St Wiley |
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d pson an © Thom
Density Whale Baleen gh Hi Low ghtings hale Si Right W heme tion Sc Separa heme Traffic tion Sc Separa fic af Tr Old NMS en Bank Stellwag
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l Miles Nautica 10 70°50'0"
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is leaflet andre de st produced th the IWC, Alex t of Belgium fir mmissioner to en Co m n rn ia ldwide ve lg or Go Be w e d e Th Group an ncern over th Strikes Working areness and co aw g in ow the IWC Ship gr a was ted that there les. Lichtervelde, no s ships and wha n ee tw be ns en fatal injurie sio lli co of m le ip. Severe or ev sh prob e th to e ag g vessels and en serious dam whale-watchin ts there has be drofoil ferries, hy In some inciden ng or left severely lvi d vo lle in by a ship is ki have occurred k rs uc ge str en le ss ha pa w e incidents to llisions, a thered from th af t. In many co information ga , ed tic no recreational cr un ten go gh collisions of lem. injured. Althou for solving the prob to l ca iti cr is a priority issue d se es itn w e ses have been oi that ar rp po d s es an ns ing the proc whales, dolphi Belgium is lead ip strikes with ission (IWC). m m Co Since 2005, sh incidents; (3) g e lin ik ha str ation on ship International W rm e fo th in of of these le k pi or m w the tain acceptance eness; (2) co increase awar ikes, and (4) ob str ssible ip ce sh ac of r se in order to (1) the numbe strikes databa res to reduce t and use is the ship sis to as ol to ic y bl identify measu ke pu A e dustr y and th aritime sector. in m e e m th iti ar . by m re s e tu re measu itical that th risks in the fu website. It is cr at will reduce C th g IW in e th ak h m nug thro form decisio of Belgium ta needed to in e Government provide the da ay in 2011. Th aw ed nd edition of ss co pa se e de th ve suppor ted e de Lichtervel dr ha an to ex d Al se y, ea dl pl Sa ork and is itted to this w remains comm this leaflet. ay Frédéric Chem ioner, Belgium IWC Commiss
Please report any collisions with whales to the IWC www.iwc.int/ship-strikes e-mail: [email protected] Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Security and Environment DG Environment
or contact your local ship strikes co-ordinator or whale stranding network.
+32 (0)2 525 97 97 [email protected]
This leaflet is available in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) Front cover photos: blue whale surfacing near container ship © NOAA|CINMS; sperm whale © IFAW
The production of this leaflet was co-ordinated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has been involved in addressing the problem of ship strikes since 1998
Print | Doveton Press on Take Two Offset, 100% recycled fibres sourced from post-consumer waste, FSC accredited
issioner an IWC Comm air of e of the Belgi fic of e th at time, the ch om Fr in 2009. At th
Design | binding-associates.com
Letter from the Belgian IWC Commissioner
WHALES:
avoiding collisions prevents damage to ships, and injuries to passengers, crew and whales.
Advice to help avoid collisions with whales The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed a guidance document for minimising the risk of collisions between ships and whales. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is also working to address the issue.
1 Passage planning Minimising the risk of collisions with whales can become a regular part of planning a passage. The best way to reduce risk is to avoid areas with the most whales. Planning well in advance may allow an area to be avoided with minimal additional passage time. If it is not possible to avoid known areas of high whale density, then try to plan to slow down in these areas. There is good scientific evidence that the risk to whales is substantially less from ships travelling at 10 knots compared to 15 knots or more. In some areas coast guards may be able to provide information on locations of recent whale sightings and likely high density areas.
2 Keeping watch Large ships have little ability to avoid whales which surface directly ahead of them. However, watch officers should be aware of what action they should take if whales are seen. Large whales can often be seen at distances of several miles and seeing one whale is often a strong indication that there are likely to be others in the area. Modest course alterations away from sightings can reduce collision risk with other individuals in the same aggregation. Having a dedicated observer scanning ahead with binoculars will help to detect whales at greater distances. Keep as far from whales as possible and do not approach closer than a quarter of a mile unless unavoidable. Smaller ships, including sailing vessels, are more likely to be damaged by collisions with whales and should be prepared for direct avoidance manoeuvres. Watch officers should be on high alert if any whales are sighted. Consider reducing speed in poor sightings conditions as well as in response to seeing whales.
3 Reporting incidents More information helps understand the problem and the factors that affect collision risk. All reports of collisions are valuable and can help avoid these incidents in the future. Please report any whale struck, stuck on the bow, carcasses observed at sea, significant or abnormal sightings such as whales in unusually large numbers, to the appropriate coast guard or maritime authority. Use the International Whaling Commission (IWC) template to report on any collision incident at www.iwc.int/ship-strikes or email [email protected].
4 Measures available through the IMO and national legislation In some waters, measures have been taken to minimize the risk of collision with whales. These measures include the re-alignment of Traffic Separations Schemes, the creation of Areas To Be Avoided, Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems, Advisories to Mariners and speed restrictions.
5 Scientific research There is no simple solution to the problem of ship strikes. Scientists are looking at ways of modelling distribution patterns of whales and ships to identify high risk areas, developing autonomous off-shore buoys that listen for whales, and systems for relaying information from observations of whales to mariners.
Photos © IFAW
70°40'0"
W 70°50'0"
70°30'0"
W
70°20'0"
W
W
W
70°0'0"W
W
42°40'0"
42°50'0"
gen llwa Ste
N
N
71°0'0"W
B an N 42°30'0"
n al atio
N
kN
:
M ar
42°40'0"
42°50'0"
69°50'0" 70°10'0"
N
The approaches to Boston harbour cross an important area for right and other whales. Risk has been reduced by moving shipping lanes slightly to avoid high density areas.
42°20'0"
42
°30'0"N
ry tua
N
c San ine
42°0'0"N
42°0'0"N
N
S
Bank NM
42°10'0"
ellwagen
St Wiley |
42°20'0"
N
42°10'0"
N
d pson an © Thom
Density Whale Baleen gh Hi Low ghtings hale Si Right W heme tion Sc Separa heme Traffic tion Sc Separa fic af Tr Old NMS en Bank Stellwag
0 1 2
4
71°0'0"W
6
8
l Miles Nautica 10 70°50'0"
W
70°40'0"
69°50'0"
W
70°30'0"
W
W 70°20'0"
70°10'0"
W
70°0'0"W
W
is leaflet andre de st produced th the IWC, Alex t of Belgium fir mmissioner to en Co m n rn ia ldwide ve lg or Go Be w e d e Th Group an ncern over th Strikes Working areness and co aw g in ow the IWC Ship gr a was ted that there les. Lichtervelde, no s ships and wha n ee tw be ns en fatal injurie sio lli co of m le ip. Severe or ev sh prob e th to e ag g vessels and en serious dam whale-watchin ts there has be drofoil ferries, hy In some inciden ng or left severely lvi d vo lle in by a ship is ki have occurred k rs uc ge str en le ss ha pa w e incidents to llisions, a thered from th af t. In many co information ga , ed tic no recreational cr un ten go gh collisions of lem. injured. Althou for solving the prob to l ca iti cr is a priority issue d se es itn w e ses have been oi that ar rp po d s es an ns ing the proc whales, dolphi Belgium is lead ip strikes with ission (IWC). m m Co Since 2005, sh incidents; (3) g e lin ik ha str ation on ship International W rm e fo th in of of these le k pi or m w the tain acceptance eness; (2) co increase awar ikes, and (4) ob str ssible ip ce sh ac of r se in order to (1) the numbe strikes databa res to reduce t and use is the ship sis to as ol to ic y bl identify measu ke pu A e dustr y and th aritime sector. in m e e m th iti ar . by m re s e tu re measu itical that th risks in the fu website. It is cr at will reduce C th g IW in e th ak h m nug thro form decisio of Belgium ta needed to in e Government provide the da ay in 2011. Th aw ed nd edition of ss co pa se e de th ve suppor ted e de Lichtervel dr ha an to ex d Al se y, ea dl pl Sa ork and is itted to this w remains comm this leaflet. ay Frédéric Chem ioner, Belgium IWC Commiss
Please report any collisions with whales to the IWC www.iwc.int/ship-strikes e-mail: [email protected] Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Security and Environment DG Environment
or contact your local ship strikes co-ordinator or whale stranding network.
+32 (0)2 525 97 97 [email protected]
This leaflet is available in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) Front cover photos: blue whale surfacing near container ship © NOAA|CINMS; sperm whale © IFAW
The production of this leaflet was co-ordinated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has been involved in addressing the problem of ship strikes since 1998
Print | Doveton Press on Take Two Offset, 100% recycled fibres sourced from post-consumer waste, FSC accredited
issioner an IWC Comm air of e of the Belgi fic of e th at time, the ch om Fr in 2009. At th
Design | binding-associates.com
Letter from the Belgian IWC Commissioner
