Dead fin whale removed from Norwegian Joy in Sitka
Authorities are investigating after the whale was discovered on the cruise ship’s bow Thursday morning.
A fin whale was found dead Thursday morning on the bow of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy in Sitka. The official cause of death has not been released, and authorities have not determined whether an impact with the ship killed the whale.
About 4,000 passengers were informed that the vessel had struck an endangered fin whale while sailing from Hoonah to Sitka. Passengers waited roughly two miles offshore as responders from the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA and the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network worked with a tugboat to remove the carcass from the bow.
Whale biologist Lauren Wild estimated that the animal measured 35 to 45 feet and was likely a juvenile male. Wild said the circumstances remained unclear, including where along the route the apparent strike occurred. She said a necropsy could help establish whether the whale was already dead or died as a result of the impact.
NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Jennifer Angelo said 10 whale strikes involving cruise ships have been documented in Alaska since 2001, though some were unconfirmed and not all necessarily killed the whales.
A Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said the company was cooperating with authorities and wildlife specialists. NOAA’s Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network is working to determine the cause of death and the next steps.