Watercraft operator identified after slamming into grey whale, Vancouver police say

Witnesses were stunned after seeing a jet skier striking a grey whale off the coast of Vancouver on Monday.

An investigation is underway after a watercraft operator slammed into a grey whale feeding off the coast of Vancouver this week—causing shock and upset among bystanders.

Social media videos show the moment a personal watercraft struck the massive cetacean as it was surfacing for air Monday afternoon in Burrard Inlet, near Siwash Rock.

The force of the impact sent the operator flying off the vehicle and into the water.

“It was awful to watch, to be honest,” said Rachael Taylor, who witnessed the incident. “I have a lot of concern for both the whale and the person.”

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working to assess whether the whale was injured by the collision.

• Related: Crowding grey whale off Vancouver coast could cause ‘live stranding,’ officials warn

Authorities said the personal watercraft operator was rescued by someone on a nearby sailboat, and that members of the Canadian Coast Guard also offered assistance.

The Vancouver Police Department confirmed officers have identified and spoken with the individual, as well as multiple witnesses.

Asked whether the operator could face charges or fines, a police spokesperson said the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and that the department is liaising with the DFO on the matter.

The grey whale has been spotted close to the shoreline for more than a week, offering a rare treat for onlookers—but the public’s fascination with the creature has also caused concern among officials, particularly as some onlookers attempt to catch a glimpse from boats and other vessels.

Paul Cottrell, marine mammal co-ordinator for the DFO, previously warned that crowding the whale carries a serious risk of “live-stranding”—when an animal gets caught somewhere so shallow it’s unable to swim away.

“Folks need to respect this animal’s space,” Cottrell told CTV News last week. “Your best viewing is from shore.”

Approaching, feeding or otherwise interacting with whales is forbidden under Canada’s Fisheries Act. Watchers are required to remain at least 100 metres from grey whales, and a minimum of 200 metres if the whales are resting or accompanied by a calf.

Those who fail to do so can face fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence.

The DFO said it could not comment on Monday’s incident while it remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnesses someone disturbing a whale can report it to the DFO’s Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Isabella Zavarise