Whale collision injures
boater off Maui
WAILUKU >> National Marine Fisheries Service officials are investigating a collision between an 18-foot fishing boat and a whale that knocked a fisherman unconscious yesterday afternoon in waters off Kahului Harbor.
The man, who regained consciousness and brought his boat into the harbor, was treated and released from Maui Memorial Medical Center.
The collision is the second incident between a vessel and whale in Hawaiian waters in the past two weeks.
Fisheries officials are also investigating a collision between a whale and a whale-watching boat in Oahu waters on Christmas Day that resulted in a fatal injury to 3-year-old Ryker David-Lee Hamilton, of Norfolk, Va.
Fisheries enforcement officer Rick Hawkins said it does not appear that the fisherman on Maui was chasing the whale.
"He was on his way in. He called a friend at 12:10 (p.m.) saying he was coming in and to bring the trailer," Hawkins said. "Shortly thereafter, the accident occurred."
Hawkins said he does not know the particulars of the collision and will interview the fisherman in a day or two, giving him time to recover.
Naomi McIntosh, manager of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said the fisherman who operated the vessel described the whale breaching in front of him.
McIntosh said that according to the fisherman, he was unable to avoid the whale and was knocked unconscious by the impact.
"When he came to he was able to get himself back to land and call police," she said.
Morrow Bagda, a fisherman who spoke with friends of the man, said the fisherman was driven forward by the impact, hitting his head on the dashboard and received three cuts on his forehead.
Bagda said once regaining consciousness, the man went to Kahului Harbor where he was picked up by friends and went to the hospital.
McIntosh said officials believe the whale also sustained injuries.
"We don't know to what extent," she said.
McIntosh said she does not know what caused the collision -- an occurrence she described as "very rare."
"We're as baffled as anyone else right now," she said. "Hopefully, this is it."
McIntosh said sanctuary officials are emphasizing that people exercise safety in the water and be aware that there are whales in Hawaii waters and that their behavior can be unpredictable.
She said sanctuary officials have received no indication that whales were exhibiting antagonistic behavior and that whale breaching occurs quite frequently.
Under federal rules, vessels are supposed to stay 100 yards from humpback whales.
Those witnessing a whale problem may call 800-853-1964. For whale entanglement or strandings, the telephone number is 800-256-9840.