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) is developing detailed guidance for
minimising the risk of collisions between ships and whales, based on proposals put
forward by the United States in 2008.
This leaflet gives a brief summary of some things to consider.
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 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 will 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
http://www.iwcoffice.org/sci_com/shipstrikes.htm or email shipstrikes@iwcoffice.org
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
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Please report any collisions with
whales to the IWC
www.iwcoffice.org/sci_com/shipstrikes.htm
e-mail: shipstrikes@iwcoffice.org
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)2 524 95 26
info_environment@health.fgov.be
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
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Letter from the Belgian IWC Commissioner