Man dies after boat collides with whale in Sydney
A man has died after a whale collided with a boat in near La Perouse in Sydney Police are currently investigating what happened during the incident in Botany Bay where the crash occurred.Police believe that the two men were in the water for about 45 minutes when one man died after a whale breached near their boat and flipped it in Sydney’s Botany Bay early saturday morning.
One of the men was unconscious when he was pulled from the water and emergency services were unable to revive him and he was declared dead.
Why Do Whales Jump Out of the Water?
The NSW whale watching season brings an abundant number of whale sightings to onlookers aboard our various whale watching vessels. These whale sightings come from a handful of magnificent whale species that touchdown in NSW’s waters. These species range from humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales, and even killer whales, leaving novice and avid whale watchers in awe and often coming back for more.
“With its incredible size and extraordinary appearance, each whale plays its part in making\ Harbor home to the best whale watching in New South Wales Not only does their size and appearance leave spectators speechless, but their “demeanor and sometimes exuberant antics lead passengers to ask one of our most frequently asked questions, why do whales jump out of the water?”
“For mammals that can weigh anywhere between 4 tonnes and 10 tonnes to (depending on species), it can be quite surprising to learn that whales can jump. As their long and large bodies make their way to the surface of the water, they propel themselves up and above it, almost hanging in midair for a split second.
While wishing their split-second moment in midair would last long enough for you to fill up your camera roll with incredible Instagram-worthy shots, they soon crash and splash back down into the ocean blue waters below their massive bodies. This crash results in a slew of ocean spray, leaving anyone within a short distance both awe-struck and a wee bit wet.”
The Reasons Why Whales Jump Out of the Water
“Whales breach and jump out of the water for many reasons, but one main reason is that whales can jump to make an extra loud sound effect. With a splash so big, it’s only apparent that it would be accompanied by a noise just as big. This is beneficial for whales striving to communicate with other whales who may be located long distances away. This is especially true if there are loud noises in the background of their marine environment, such as vessel noise and weather, which may inhibit their ability to hear and send vocals to other whales.”
“In essence, scientists believe that one of the main reasons whales can jump is to communicate more efficiently. Although the specifics of what they are communicating are unknown, it is thought that the communication can range from establishing the location of themselves and their food to warning against predators such as killer whales. It may also simply show that humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good chat with loved ones here and again.”
