Date: 21-Apr-17

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 31

Enc Start Time: 12:05

Enc End Time: 14:20

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: Dave Ellifrit

Pods or ecotype: T49As,

Location: Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 32.41/123 13.80

End Lat/Long: 48 42.02/123 14.80

 

Encounter Summary:

After receiving calls from Jane Cogan and Jeanne Hyde relaying reports of whales near Beaumont Shoal, Dave headed to Snug Harbor and left aboard “Orcinus” at 1135. “Orcinus” arrived on scene just a little south of Kelp Reef at 1205. The T49As, T65As, and T65Bs were spread out in small tight groups as they headed north. T65A, T65A5, the T65Bs, and T49A4 were in one group and they were soon joined by T49A and T49A3. T49A1 and T65A2 were traveling together about a half mile or more to the south of this group. By about 1310, T49A1 and T65A2 had caught up and joined the others and another pair who turned out to be T65A3 and T65A4 could be seen catching up from the south. They also joined the larger group and all the whales traveled steadily north up Haro Strait. The whales passed close by the rocks at Turn Point around 1410 and then turned northwest and the encounter ended at 1420 about a half mile north of Turn Point.