Young whale dies in collision with cruise ship in Alaska
By APWednesday, July 28, 2010
Cruise ships strikes whale in Alaska
JUNEAU, Alaska — A Princes Cruises ship operating in Alaska has fatally struck a whale near Juneau.
Princess Cruises says the dead whale became stuck at the bow of the Sapphire Princess, and the vessel was stopped south of Douglas Island until the carcass could be removed Wednesday afternoon.
Princess spokesman Kirby Day says the dead whale was noticed at about 8 a.m. as the ship traveled from Ketchikan to Juneau.
Kaja Brix with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the animal appears to have been a juvenile humpback whale.
Brix says the ship had to increase power to maintain speed early Wednesday, indicating the strike occurred then.
A necropsy will be conducted.
Information from: KINY-AM, www.kinyradio.com
