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SC/69B/HIM/01
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Resource ID
22094
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69B/HIM/01
Full Title
Results of avoidance manoeuvres of a cruise ship in response to sightings of humpback whales
Author
Russell Leaper, Lucy Babey, Anna Bunney, Maria Snell.
Authors Summary
One measure to reduce the risk of collisions between vessels and whales is to place observers on vessels to enable avoidance manoeuvres in response to whale sightings from the vessel. The efficacy of this approach will depend on a number of factors and has been investigated through modelling and observational studies. SC/69a/HIMxx investigated the effectiveness of avoidance manoeuvres by a 90,901 GT cruise ship (Cunard Queen Elizabeth) off the west coast of the US. 24 cases were analysed where the vessel responded to a sighting of a single individual or group of humpback whales. In all of these there was an alteration of course and in four cases also a reduction in speed. The track of the vessel was examined through the avoidance manoeuvre and compared the distance between the closest point of approach to the original sighting location as a result of the manoeuvre with that if the vessel?s course had not changed. The results show that a vessel of the size of the Queen Elizabeth can take avoiding action in response to sightings of whales which would be expected to reduce the collision risk. However, unless speeds are reduced, it is not possible to take effective action for whales detected closer than 1000m ahead of the vessel. The project will continue in 2024 and is intended to contribute to developing further guidance for ships? crews as to how to reduce ship strike risk when whales are sighted.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2024