Date: 14-Jan-19

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 04

Enc Start Time: 11:40

Enc End Time: 12:55

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Melisa Pinnow

Pods or ecotype: Transients

Location: Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 24.284/-123 11.98

End Lat/Long: 48 38.23/-123 10.52

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Encounter Summary:

Dave and Melisa were at the Center for Whale Research when a small group of killer whales appeared out front at 1120. Binoculars revealed that they were the T18s so Dave and Melisa quickly headed to Snug Harbor and left the dock at 1136 aboard “Orcinus”. “Orcinus” arrived on scene with the T18s at 1140. The whales were in a tight group as they slowly traveled north in Haro Strait and past the mouth of Mitchell Bay. The four whales then split into pairs as they headed toward Kellett Bluff. T19 and T19B took the lead while T18 and T19C trailed behind. The whales rounded Kellett and were about ¾ of a mile south of Batttleship Island by 1219. They swam between Battleship and Henry Island in their pairs and then formed a tight group again once they were in Spieden Channel. No obvious kills were observed. The encounter was ended at 1255 as the whales passed Danger Shoal, aiming for Sentinel Island.