Monday, July 27, 2009

Rare Fin Whale Discovered Wedged In Cruise Ship's Bow

A cruise ship arrived at the Port of Vancouver with a dead whale lodged in its bow. The 2,670-seater Princess Cruise Lines' Sapphire Princess was docked at the Canada Place terminal Saturday with the rare fin whale stuck to it. It wasn't immediately known when it arrived or when the collision occurred. Some tourists visiting one of the city's most impressive downtown destinations took pictures of the fin whale. Fin whales are second only to the blue whale in size - they are the second largest living animal.Several employees at Canada Place, home to the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel, also strolled over to stare at the animal. Princess Cruises' statement said: 'We were shocked and saddened by this discovery, and sincerely regret the circumstances which led to the whale’s death. 'We are not aware that any whales were sighted as the ship sailed through the Inside Passage to Vancouver yesterday. 'We take our responsibility to be good stewards of the marine environment very seriously, and have clear guidelines for our ships on how to operate if whales are sighted nearby, which include altering course and reducing speed as required.'

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