Date: 11-09-2019

Sequence: 2

Encounter Number: 68

Enc Start Time: 15:43

Enc End Time: 16:57

Vessel: Mike 1, Springtime

Observers: Mark Malleson, Ken Balcomb, Florian Graner, Antonia Aust, Greg Bella

Pods or ecotype: J pod

Location: Port Renfrew

Begin Lat/Long: 48 32.0/124 33.7

End Lat/Long: 48 33.0/124 37.3

 

Encounter Summary:

After leaving K's and L's westbound west of Nitinat River mouth Mark headed east on Mike 1 to help Springtime locate the rest of the Clan. Mark passed inshore of Ken and crew slightly west of the mouth of Port of San Juan and decided to top up the fuel tank. Springtime was going to continue east towards Sombrio Point. At 1543 within 2 miles of the entrance to Port of San Juan and 1 mile offshore of Camper Creek he saw a killer whale breach off his bow which turned out to be L87. He could see the rest of J pod spread out inshore and all pointed west. He called over Springtime who were within a couple of miles and worked his way inshore to the lead animals leaving the offshore animals for them. Both boats ended the encounter at 1657 and went back to Port Renfrew to anchor up.