Washington Ferries Get Upgraded Whale Alert System

SEATTLE, WA -- All ferries in Washington are now equipped with a new whale alert system, supplying captains with up-to-date information when large marine mammals are near. The Whale Report Alert System incorporates real-time whale sightings reported by the public via Ocean Wise's WhaleReport app.

Each alert shows the time of the sighting, details on the species, direction the whale is heading and how many of them are in the group. That information is relayed to a ferries operations center, where they can view the whales' positions compared to the fleets, then let the ferry captains know when one is the vicinity. Ferry captains can then decide if they need to change course or slow down to avoid hitting or otherwise disturbing the creatures.

"Because we operate out 22 ferries on Puget Sound and manage 20 terminals on its shores, we have an obligation to ensure WSF is doing everything we can to protect our environment, including marine life," said WSF Assistant Secretary Amy Scarton.

In July, a humpback whale was fatally hit by a ferry sailing from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.