Photo: Kyle Bray/WBZ NewsRadio
RYE, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A terrifying video obtained by WBZ-TV showed a Humpback Whale launching itself at a boat off the coast of New Hampshire.
The giant whale collided with a small boat in the video and sent it toppling on its side. WBZ NewsRadio caught up with Linnea Mayfield of Boston Harbor City Cruises and the New England Aquarium to find out more. Mayfield suspects that the boat was caught in the whales' blind spot as it was lunge feeding.
Read More: Wind Blade Maker Ties Detachment To “Insufficent Bonding”
“What [whales will] do is they will blow bubbles either in a cloud formation or a net formation and drive that prey to the surface, and then they lunge with an open mouth through that school of fish scooping up as many as they can,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield added that they will usually see at least one incident like this per year, and although the Coast Guard has said that they believe the whale in this incident appeared to be okay, these kinds of accidents can be potentially fatal for whales.
Mayfield also said that it’s important to look out for bubbles, (a potential sign of whale activity), and to stay away at a safe distance when whale watching.
“It is best to maintain a 100-to-600-foot distance from any whales known in the area, for smaller vessels I would recommend keeping 500 to 600 feet away from those animals.”
She also said that people operating vessels should only drive around 10 knots or less around whales.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok