Play kindly in whales’ home

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

We are very fortunate to live in a part of the country where we

can go boating year-round.

Just look at this week in the middle of winter, with 70-degree

temperatures and Santa Ana winds blowing across the Southland,

allowing us to hoist our sails.

The seas have calmed down with a little swell, and the swells at

Point Conception to our north are only 7 feet, which might increase

the swell heights here a little on Sunday.

I just finished reading a Coast Guard Auxiliary’s notice about

blizzards yesterday, and I studied this report intensely should a

blizzard swing south to Newport Harbor.

I have heard that in an emergency, you can pour vodka into the

fresh water tank to prevent lines from freezing and cracking open.

In that case, I guess there would be no need to flush your system

at spring thaw. Just invite all your friends over for a glass of

water.

However, today and this weekend will bring excellent boating

conditions, and guess what?

Once again it’s whale-watching season off our coastline, and many

people have told me that they have already spotted whales from

shore-side.

Gray whales are migrating south this time of year, basically

December through March, but you might be lucky enough to spot an orca

or a blue whale, too.

Remember, whales are warm-blooded, air-breathing mammals that swim

in pods, not schools. Also, you never know when a young gray whale

will decide to alter course to enter Newport Harbor.

I have had some of my best whale-watching experiences inside the

harbor.

Remember, do not call them (ouch) fish.

Those of you venturing out to see the whales aboard your boat must

follow the general rules to protect whales from over-excited or

disrespectful boaters. The National Marine Fisheries Service is the

federal agency responsible for protecting whales via the 1972 Marine

Mammal Protection Act. The regulations were enacted to protect whales

and other marine mammals from harassment, and for safe,

non-disruptive whale watching.

The NOAA Fisheries website has excellent information on a page:

“Admire from a distance ... for your safety and their protection.

Never touch, swim with, feed or harm in the wild.” You can find it on

the Internet at https://www.nmfs.

noaa.gov/pr/

education/viewing.htm.

Every boat operator (including those kayaking) must abide by the

rules, whether you’re a recreational boater or a commercial

whale-watching operator.

Those on the water must try to stay at least 100 yards away from

whales, and you must stop if a whale approaches closer to your boat.

While viewing a pod at the required distance, boaters should

maintain a constant speed while paralleling and cruise at speeds less

than the whale.

Also, boaters should never follow or approach directly in front of

whales.

The regulations note that all boaters should do nothing to cause a

whale to change direction, separate from groups or block a whale

between the boat and shore, such as a bay.

Those with futuristic flying boats, airplanes or float planes

cannot fly lower than 1,000 feet when within a 100-yard horizontal

distance from a whale.

Do not forget that swimmers and divers cannot approach whales

either, and never try to feed a whale.

Everyone should be considerate of the mammals because, remember,

we are playing in their home.

Tip of the week

If you see a boater deliberately harassing a whale, report the

incident to the National Marine Fisheries Service 24-hour hotline at

(800) 853-1964 or your local Coast Guard office.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act cites two levels of harassment

and prohibits hunting, capturing or killing any marine mammal.

Level A harassment is to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal

stock in the wild, and level B harassment is to disturb a marine

mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by disrupting behavioral

patterns. Let’s be kind.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.”

It airs every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You

can join me, Chandler Bell and Eric Hovland by calling the listener

line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.