What can VTS Users do to protect whales while on the water?
Report whale sightings.
All mariners and members of the public are encouraged to report whale sightings as soon as possible through the WhaleReport app (available on Apple or Google devices), Whale Alert app (available on Apple or Google Devices), or Orca Network (webform, sightings@orcanetwork.org, or 866-ORCANET (672-2638)).
Alternatively, the Coast Guard Cetacean Desk hosted in the Puget Sound VTS may take whale sightings reports from VTS Users by phone at (206) 217-ORCA (x6722) or on the Puget Sound VTS designated traffic channels (5A, 14). Mariners in Canadian-managed waters may report sightings to the CCG Marine Mammal Desk at (833)339-1020 or CCG radio.
Please be prepared to provide the 1) vessel name, 2) whale species sighted, 3) number of animals, and 4) direction of travel/any behavior observed.
Sightings reports through these networks, or the Cetacean Desk generate alerts that go directly to vessel operators and pilots notifying them of whale presence in their vicinity via the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS). The sightings also go into a database that helps scientists do important research on our local whales.
VTS Users: Be notified of whales in your area.
Eligible vessel operators and fleet operations centers are encouraged to apply for WRAS access for enhanced situational awareness while transiting. WRAS consolidates data from numerous sightings networks as well as hydrophones to get mariners timely alerts on whale presence in their vicinity.
VTS Users: Take action on the water.
What can you do if there are whales reported in your vicinity? When safety, navigation, and engineering considerations allow, VTS Users may reduce their chance of striking or disturbing whales in the following ways:
- Reduce your speed. The risk of a ship striking and killing or seriously injuring a whale is greatly reduced when a ship is traveling at 10 knots or less. Slowing also reduces underwater noise that may hinder endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) hunting and communication.
- Give whales their space. Learn more about Be Whale Wise guidelines here. When possible and safe to do so, make gradual course changes away from the whale location or out of the path of travel.
- Always be on the lookout. Be vigilant for blows and other indicators of whale presence (such as gatherings of birds indicating there might be feed nearby).
- Turn off ultrasonic anti-fouling systems in areas with reported killer whales. This further reduces noise pollution in the frequencies that SRKWs use to hunt and communicate.
- Review the International Maritime Organization’s guidelines for vessel noise reduction to find out how activities like vessel maintenance, propeller design and selection, and selection and mounting of engines and machinery can produce a quieter vessel.