Whale collides with ferry Tustumena

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

Passengers on the ferry Tustumena saw the vessel collide with a whale Wednesday morning.

That’s according to Julie Speegle, a spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries Alaska region.

NOAA received a report of the incident from the Alaska Marine Highway System.

The ferry was on its way to Kodiak when eyewitnesses saw a whale of an unknown species breach into the side of the ferry, says Speegle.

“Afterwards, the whale was seen swimming abnormally and then it sank out of sight.  From the force of the breach, it is likely that this whale suffered mortal injuries.”

She says it struck the ferry’s starboard stabilization fin.

DOT public information officer Aurah Landau says the ferry schedule will not be affected.

“Divers took a look at the stabilizer, and it was able to be retracted. The vessel can run safely as is without that one stabilizer, and so we don’t anticipate needing repairs at this point.”

Speegle says they may be able to learn more, like the whale’s species, if its body floats to the surface.