Warning: Everything whale be alright if you stay at a distance at sea

Authorities are asking skippers to maintain safe distances while on the water during this season’s whale migration, after a serious accident in NSW on the weekend.

Whale watching season continues through to November, with the peak northern migration being an exciting time, between mid-June to early July.

Skippers have been asked by authorities to be aware of their surroundings and maintain safe distances while on the water during this season’s whale migration along the NSW coast.

The reminder follows a significant increase in the number of whales migrating north through NSW waters and a serious incident involving a recreational vessel on the state’s South Coast at the weekend.

Just after 9am on Sunday, June 6, Marine Rescue NSW received a MAYDAY call after a breaching whale landed on top of a recreational vessel off the coast of Narooma.

The 39-year-old male skipper advised that his 18-year-old male passenger had sustained a serious head injury and was trying to navigate back to the boat ramp despite the vessel taking on water.

The younger man was later flown from Moruya Hospital to Canberra Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition, while the older man was treated at Moruya Hospital for facial lacerations and concussion.

In August 2012, two men were hospitalised after a whale and boat collision near Ballina.

In October 2016, a vessel carrying two recreational fishermen collided with a whale 5km off the coast of Evans Head.

The vessel split down the middle of the hull and sank.

A small pod of killer whales spotted off Ballina.

More information about whale watching and safety tips from NPWS are available online, visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wild-about-whales/whale-watching-approach-zones

It’s believed the whale may have also been injured during the incident on the weekend, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will work with Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) will monitor to ensure assistance is provided, if required.

Anyone who sees a stranded, entangled or distressed whale is urged to contact call NPWS on 1300 072 757, or 1300 0 PARKS.

Supt McNulty said it is a timely reminder to keep safety at top of mind at all times and adhere to approach zones whether in, on or above the water.

“With tens of thousands of large whales currently migrating north, we expect large numbers of vessels to take to the water, all water craft (including surfboards), vessels, swimmers and spectators must adhere to regulations – not only for their safety, but also for the protection of these magnificent creatures,” Supt McNulty said.

“You must not approach a whale any closer than 100m on a vessel, including boats, surf skis and kayaks, or 300m on a ‘prohibited vessel’, which includes jet skis.

“Swimmers and divers must not enter the water within 100m of a whale and then make sure they maintain a distance of at least 30m in any direction.”

For all your on-water safety information, visit: https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/index.html