Marine conservation officers are currently on the lookout for an injured humpback whale that was hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel in Howe Sound on Sunday. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reported that the incident involving the Queen of Surrey ferry occurred between Grace Point and Keats Island. During the collision, two humpback whales were sighted near the ferry, with one of them being struck.
Passengers onboard the ferry, traveling from Langdale on the Sunshine Coast to Horseshoe Bay, felt the impact of the whale being hit and witnessed the distressed whale trailing behind the vessel. Aspen Wing, who was traveling with her son, recalled sensing the collision at 1:33 p.m. PT. According to Wing, a group of passengers alerted about the nearby whale, leading her son to spot the injured humpback at the back of the ferry. She captured a video of the whale thrashing in the water, noting the distressing sight of the whale expelling blood into the air.
B.C. Ferries expressed deep concern over the incident and its potential repercussions on the whale. Kit Billings, a spokesperson for the company, mentioned that the whale unexpectedly resurfaced in front of the vessel, leaving the crew with minimal time to react.
Following the incident, efforts have been focused on responding promptly, informing relevant authorities, and gathering accurate details about the event and its impact on the whale. The DFO confirmed that B.C. Ferries is cooperating in the investigation. A team from DFO is currently in Howe Sound searching for the whale.
Almost a year ago, on Oct. 23, 2025, a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching company near Keats Island in Howe Sound, close to the recent incident. Subsequently, a deceased four-year-old humpback whale was found in the same vicinity. The dead humpback identified as BCY1464, also known as Wisp, prompted an ongoing investigation by DFO.
There have been other reported whale strikes in various coastal regions recently, including incidents involving a Hullo Ferries vessel off Vancouver, a person on a Sea-Doo hitting a grey whale near English Bay, and a humpback whale found dead following a collision with a B.C. Ferries vessel in Wright Sound. The need for improved communication and reduced vessel speeds in whale habitats has been emphasized by wildlife experts and conservationists to prevent such tragic incidents.