Dead Whale Dragged Into Bay On Freighter's Bow
ALAMEDA: Cargo Ship Arrives At Port Of Oakland With Dead Whale On Bow
Updated on: 2010-09-17 02:09:09
A freighter coming into the Port of Oakland Thursday morning brought along some unexpected cargo. A dead whale that the vessel had apparently struck and killed while at sea was resting on the ship's bow when it arrived, a U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman said.
The Coast Guard received a report at about 10 a.m. that the cargo ship Northern Vitality from Long Beach had struck the whale, Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Laura Williams said.
The animal got stuck on the ship's bow and was dragged along with the ship until it docked at Berth 57 at the port, Williams said.
Officials from the Marine Mammal Center -- who came out to examine the carcass and take samples -- told KTVU late Thursday afternoon that it appeared to be a minke whale, which is a small species of baleen whale that feeds by straining krill through plates in their mouths.
Officials said the 25-to-30 foot long whale may have been dead before being hit and ending up on the ship's bow. Workers alongside the ship's berth were surprised and saddened to see sharks show up to feed on the carcass.
"I hate to see it. That's life, you know?" said Conservation Corp worker Greshawn Daggs. "We're caretakers of the environment. We love the environment. Hate to see it."
"I don't think this is a common occurrence," said Fish & Game Warden Clint Garrett. "In my experience I have not seen this before."
The Marine Mammal Center said the last time there was such an incident in San Francisco Bay was in 2008.
The Center added that sometime Friday morning the whale carcass would be towed out to sea.
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Víctor Lei
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