Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 with a deceased 61-foot fin whale draped across its bow. A necropsy conducted by NOAA Fisheries confirmed the whale suffered blunt force trauma consistent with a vessel strike. Environmental advocates have since analyzed AIS data, estimating the ship was traveling between 15 and 20 knots at the time of the incident. The Center for Biological Diversity has formally requested that Royal Caribbean implement a voluntary 10-knot speed limit in the region to protect marine life. With the recent opening of a major new cruise terminal in Seward, increased vessel traffic remains a significant point of concern for local environmental groups. Should cruise lines be required to adopt mandatory speed restrictions in areas known for high whale activity?
Source: https://cruiseradio.net/locals-want-cruise-ships-to-slow-down-after-2026-whale-strike/
