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Whale Watching -
Guidlines
Operation of Vessels in the Vicinity of
Resident Killer Whales
1. A vessel shall approach an area of known or suspected whale
activity with extreme caution.
2. A vessel within ½ mile (880 yards) of a whale is considered
to be in the vicinity of whales and is required to abide by all
of these Best Practices Guidelines as are relevant.
3. If a vessel operator is unaware of the whales' location he
must maintain a vigilant watch for whales at all times. Mere
observation of whale watching vessels in the distance does not
fulfill this responsibility as individual whales may be encountered
anywhere and at any time. Maintaining a vigilant watch often
includes significant speed reductions.
4. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales - within ½
mile (880 yards) of a whale - is considered to be in the slow-down
zone and must gradually reduce speed such that vessel speed is
no more than 7 knots at ¼ mile (440 yards) off or closer.
This speed transition shall also be observed when dis-engaging
the vicinity of whales.
5. As the vessel approaches, the distribution of whales and the
positioning of other viewing vessels should be surveyed. Communication
with other member vessels is strongly encouraged at this point
(on the designated marine radio frequency).
6. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales from ahead must
apply the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence once inside ½
mile (880 yards) of the nearest whale or within ¼ mile
(440 yards) of a vessel maintaining its priority sequence and
waiting for the whales to arrive.
7. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales from behind must
apply the Parallel Viewing Sequence once inside ½ mile
(880 yards) of the nearest whale or within ¼ mile (440
yards) of a vessel maintaining its priority paralleling sequence.
A vessel may disengage the area to reposition at any time. (See
Parallel Viewing Sequence).
8. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales from the side
must apply the Parallel Viewing Sequence once inside ½
mile (880 yards) of the nearest whale or within ¼ mile
(440 yards) of a vessel maintaining its priority paralleling
sequence. A vessel may disengage the area to reposition at any
time. (See Parallel Viewing Sequence).
Parallel Viewing Sequence
9. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales from behind
or from the side must apply the Parallel Viewing Sequence once
inside ½ mile (880 yards) of the nearest whale or within
¼ mile (440 yards) of a vessel maintaining its priority
paralleling sequence. A vessel may disengage the area to reposition
at any time.
10. When approaching a whale or a group of whales from behind
or from the side the vessel operator must ensure his vessel moves
to the outside of the nearest group of whales, and outside the
vessels already accompanying these whales, and head in a direction
parallel to the direction these whales are traveling, maintaining
existing view angles of all vessels previously on scene.
11. Vessels in more favorable positions should limit their time
in that position to 15 minutes and then allow other vessels engaged
in viewing that more favourable position.
12. Vessels should stay to the outside of the whale(s) they are
watching, maintaining the vessel on the ocean (deep-water) side
of the whales farthest away from shore.
13. Vessels should travel in a direction parallel to the direction
the whales are traveling, maintaining a minimum distance of 100
yards (300 feet), 100 metres (328 feet) when in Canadian waters.
14. A vessel's speed should be the same as the whale's speed
or slower. However, when traveling slower than the speed of the
whales, a vessel relinquishes its priority sequence. This technique
is generally used to disengage the vicinity of whales when the
intention is to break away and return to port.
15. A vessel approaching the vicinity of whales from ahead must
apply the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence once inside ½
mile (880 yards) of the nearest whale or within ¼ mile
(440 yards) of a vessel maintaining its priority sequence and
waiting for the whales to arrive.
Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence
16. A vessel approaching a whale or group of whales from the
side or from behind may apply the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence
but only if it does not engage in viewing, namely maintains a
minimum distance of ½ mile (880 yards) from the nearest
whale and the nearest whale watching vessel and moves to approach
the whales from ahead (see above).
17. When approaching a whale or a group of whales from ahead
the vessel operator must ensure his vessel enters the sequence
of viewing vessels such that all other vessels on scene prior
to his vessel will all be afforded a viewing opportunity prior
to his vessel, given that the current course of the whales at
the particular time is extrapolated on the whale's most likely
course. Once the vessel is in viewing sequence, it must stop,
shut down engines and allow the whales to travel toward the vessel,
if they so choose. The Master of an inspected and certified vessel
is provided with limited latitude - shut down of engines is not
required only if the Master of an inspected and certified vessel
has sufficient safety or seamanship reasons to avoid shutdown
of main and auxiliary engines.
18. A vessel engaged in the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence
may have whales approach inside 100 yards (300 feet) only if
it has followed all relevant procedures.
19. Each whale in the vicinity must be allowed to pass a minimum
of 1/8th mile (220 yards) before re-starting engines.
20. Repositioning is most relevant to vessels utilizing the Stop
&Wait Viewing Sequence. To reposition a vessel must dis-engage
the vicinity of whales by allowing each whale in the vicinity
to pass a minimum of 1/8th mile (220 yards) before re-starting
engines. The vessel then proceeds on a course perpendicular to
the current course of the particular whales at a maximum speed
of 7 knots until it is at least ¼ mile (440 yards) away
from the nearest whale after which point it can make the speed
transition until it is at least ½ mile (880 yards) away
from the nearest whale after which point it is not in the vicinity
of whales. This is the minimum required buffer zone and, in addition,
the vessel must be outside and behind any other vessel engaged
in a similar maneouver, maintaining its current priority sequence.
At this point the vessel is able to engage in viewing and able
to employ either viewing sequence.
21. A vessel within ½ mile (880 yards) of a whale is considered
to be in the vicinity of whales.
22. A vessel within ¼ mile (440 yards) of a whale is considered
to be in the vicinity of whales and engaged in viewing.<
At All Times in the Vicinity of Whales
23. It is incumbent on the vessel operator to be able to recognize
resting behaviour.
24. A vessel shall not approach a resting whale from behind,
leaving a minimum clearance of 1/8th mile (220 yards).
25. A vessel shall not approach a resting whale from ahead or
be ahead of resting whales while in the vicinity of whales.
26. A vessel in the vicinity of a resting whale shall always
employ the Parallel Viewing Sequence. The Stop &Wait Viewing
Sequence shall not be utilized at anytime when whales are resting
in the vicinity, unless the vessel is maneouvered in such a manner
that the nearest whale passes the vessel a minimum of 100 yards
(300 feet), 100 metres (328 feet) when in Canadian waters.
27. A vessel in the vicinity of a foraging or feeding whale shall
employ the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence. The Parallel Viewing
Sequence shall not be utilized at anytime when whales are feeding
or foraging in the vicinity.
28. Whenever a vessel is upwind of and in the vicinity of a whale,
engine exhaust emissions are to be minimized, either by shutting
down one or more main and auxiliary engines.
29. A vessel shall limit its cumulative time in the vicinity
of whales on any one tour to a maximum of 33% of the scheduled
tour length. For a 3-hour tour this is a maximum of 1 hour spent
in the vicinity of whales. Vessels should further limit the amount
of time in the vicinity of whales on days when there are a large
number of vessels with the animals. On these occasions vessels
should spend more of their tour observing other marine wildlife
(birds, porpoises, seals, etc.) in other locations.
30. A vessel shall not leapfrog, that is to repeatedly maneouver
to intercept the course of the whales. Vessels are, however,
able to dis-engage the vicinity of whales and subsequently re-engage
the vicinity of whales.
31. All sonar, depth sounders, fish finders and other underwater
transducers should be shut off whenever a vessel is in the vicinity
of whales.
32. Vessels shall ensure a boat-free foraging zone for the whales
when they are near shore by maintaining a position seaward of
the whales and not positioning within 1/8th mile (220 yards)
of any shoreline when whales are in the vicinity.
33. A vessel's speed shall never exceed 30 knots when it is within
½ mile (880 yards) of any shoreline at any time during
a tour.
Vicinity of Transient Killer Whales
1. All Best Practices Guidelines as they relate to resident
killer whales are applicable and must be followed with the following
modifications.
2. It is incumbent on the vessel operator to be able to recognize
a transient killer whale.
3. The Parallel Viewing Sequence must be applied when engaged
in viewing transient killer whales, when they are in transit.
4. Either the Parallel Viewing Sequence or the Modified Stop
&Wait Viewing Sequence may be employed when engaged in viewing
transient killer whales when they are not in transit.
5. The Modified Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence employs the
techniques of the Stop &Wait Viewing Sequence for Resident
Killer Whales with the following modifications:
a. The minimum distance off in all cases is 1/8th mile (220
yards);
b. A vessel shall not allow a transient killer whale to pass
within 1/8th mile (220 yards) while engine are running;
c. If engines are shut down, it is permissible to allow a transient
killer whale to pass within 1/8th mile (220 yards).
Operation of Vessels in the Vicinity of Migratory Baleen Whales
1. All Best Practices Guidelines as they relate to resident
killer whales are applicable and must be followed with the following
modifications.
2. It is incumbent on the vessel operator to be able to recognize
Gray, Humpback and Minke Whales.
3. Either the Parallel Viewing Sequence or the Stop &Wait
Viewing Sequence may be employed when engaged in viewing Baleen
whales.
Operation of vessels around Pinnipeds
1. When approaching pinniped haul-outs, vessels should slow
such that at 100 yards there is minimal wash.
2. At the first sign of disturbance (sea lions sitting up and
shifting position or harbor seals bouncing on their bellies)
vessels should slowly back away.
3. Avoid loud noises or sudden rapid movements. Particular caution
should be exercised during pupping season (early summer).
Operation of vessels around birds
1. Caution should be exercised when approaching birds on land
or on the water. Approach slowly, watch for signs of agitation
and leave slowly.
2. Birds on the water should be given as wide a berth as is practical.
Disturbance while fishing may be more detrimental than disturbance
while resting on land. There is a great deal of variation in
how different species respond to marine traffic.
3. Cormorants are particularly sensitive to disturbances when
nesting although all nesting birds should be avoided. Extra caution
should be exercised from nesting through fledging (beginning
of May to the end of August). Vessels should approach very slowly
and remain at least 100 yards from rookeries.
4. All operators should be aware of areas designated as refuges
and remain 200 yards away. Operation of vessels around porpoises.
1. Operators should be able to distinguish harbor porpoise
from Dall's porpoise.
2. When harbor porpoise are encountered, vessels should either
(1) disengage the area and leave them alone or (2) if they wish
to observe them, either (a) reduce speed as low as possible and
maintain their course to their next destination or (b) STOP with
engine off or in neutral and observe. Under no circumstances
should vessels attempt to engage harbor porpoise in bow riding.
3. When Dall's porpoise are encountered vessels should either
(a) continue their course and speed or (b) STOP and observe.
If the porpoises decide to bow-ride vessels should continue their
course and adjust their speed accordingly. Vessels should not
repeatedly drive through groups of Dall's porpoise in order to
encourage them to bow-ride. If no porpoises are interested in
bow riding after 2 passes, either continue on your way or stop
to observe.
4. When more than one vessel is with the same group of Dall's
porpoise that are actively bow riding, they should communicate
and/or have one of the vessels parallel at a safe distance so
that passengers can observe the bow riding on the other vessel.
Race Rocks Proposed Marine Protected Area
1. Race Rocks will likely be designated as Canada's first
Marine Protected. It has been chosen as a prototype for the creation
of other Marine Protected Areas across Canada.
2. The Whale Watch Operators Association - North West has worked
collaboratively with all stakeholders and the Canadian Government
in the development of these Best Practices Guidelines for the
Race Rocks Marine Protected Area, which apply equally to all
vessels, whether commercial or private, whether intending to
view wild life or otherwise transiting the area.
3. Race Rocks is recognized as an area which can be utilized
to educate viewers on the richness of the biodiversity of the
Pacific Northwest coastline to assist in the raising of public
awareness for the benefit of resident wild life species.
4. Vessels will allow for a speed transition by slowing their
approach to Race Rocks such that speed at 1/8th mile (220 yards)
from any rock or landmass is reduced to minimal wake and wash,
relative to the conditions of the sea state at the particular
time. This Go Slow Zone extends 1/8th mile (220 yards) around
every rock and landmass in the Race Rocks area.
5. Vessels in the Go Slow Zone will remain as close to mid-channel
as is practicable between the major rock outcroppings known as
North Race Rock, West Race Rock and Helicopter Rock.
6. While in the Go Slow Zone vessels will transit the area with
the current whenever conditions are suitable to do so.
7. Vessels exiting the area will allow for a speed transition.
8. Vessels will remain outside all of the Go Slow Zone whenever
Resident, Transient or Off Shore Killer Whales are present in
the Go Slow Zone.
Lime Kiln Light House
San Juan Island Special Operating Area
1. Vessels will remain a minimum of ½ mile (880 yards)
from the light beacon of the Light House at Lime Kiln on San
Juan Island when whales are in the vicinity.
West Side - San Juan Island Special Operating Area
1. Vessels will remain a minimum of ¼ mile (440 yards)
from the main shoreline of the west side of San Juan Island when
between the southern most point of Henry Island in the north
and the north side of Pile Point in the south when whales are
in the vicinity.
Radio Etiquette
1. Vessels engaged in viewing or in the vicinity of whales
will monitor the Marine VHF Radio frequency designated from time
to time by this Association, in addition to those frequencies
required to be monitored by regulation.
2. Radio transmissions should be courteous, helpful, to the point,
use appropriate language and be brief. Passengers in other vessels
and in dispatch offices are able to hear transmissions.
3. Brevity of radio transmissions is particularly important when
discussing location and travel patterns of the whales. This in
order to minimize the broadcasting of the whales' location.
Guiding/Naturalist Services
1. WWOA-NW members will ensure that the services of an appropriately
educated, trained and experienced naturalist or biologist are
available to passengers aboard their vessels at all times.
2. WWOA-NW members will ensure that passengers aboard their vessels
are informed of these Best Practices Guidelines and how they
relate to marine wildlife viewing and species conservation.
3. Operators are encouraged to maintain a logbook of sightings
of all types of creatures including birds, cetaceans, pinnipeds
and other animals of interest and make it available to researchers.
Hydrophone etiquette
1. A vessel with a hydrophone down should fly the hydrophone
down flag (letter 'R' in the international system).
2. Any vessel flying the hydrophone down flag should monitor
the designated marine VHF frequency.
3. Vessels approaching a stationary vessel flying the hydrophone
down flag should establish communications and move to a position
likely suitable to the stationary vessel as quickly as possible
and shut down engines at the earliest time.
4. A vessel dis-engaging the vicinity of whales should communicate
its intention to do so to any vessel engaged in viewing with
a hydrophone down prior to the commencement of its dis-engagement
to ensure minimal interference.
Vessel Operation
1. WWOA-NW should ensure their vessels are always operated
in a manner respectful of other vessels and their passengers.
2. A vessel should not take a course between another vessel and
the animals its passengers are observing or between another vessel
and the shoreline.
3. A vessel should not accelerate or pass near other vessels.
4. Loudspeakers and public address systems should not be used
near shore - especially in inhabited residential areas - or when
boats are closely grouped.
5. A complaint of the actions of another member's vessel should
not be voiced over the VHF radio. These discussions should be
in person, by telephone or by using a courtesy reminder after
the incident.
Research and Education
1. WWOA-NW members support local whale research by providing
written records of sighting information to bona fide research
groups and through WWOA-NW approved financial support of research
activity.
2. WWOA-NW members should not address non-compliance of the Best
Practices Guidelines or of legislative non-compliance except
in the most extreme of cases. Compliance enforcement is not the
role of WWOA-NW nor do WWWOA-NW members have any legislative
authority to take any action whatsoever. If unavoidable, courteous
and educational approaches should be taken and then only in the
most flagrant violations. Report flagrant violations to the competent
authority of the relevant jurisdiction.
If you see any discrepancies or have any comments or suggestions,
please contact the Whale Watch Operators Association - North
West by emailing Dan Kukat at president@nwwhalewatchers.org
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