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Dead Endangered Whale Found on Bow of Cruise Ship Arriving in Alaska

The Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 with a dead pregnant fin whale on its bulbous bow. Preliminary findings indicate the whale was killed by a vessel strike. Conservationists and local residents are now demanding that cruise lines limit speeds to 10 knots in whale-populated areas.

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What changed

New analysis of AIS data suggests the ship was traveling above safe speeds prior to the strike.

Live updates

  1. Royal Caribbean Ship Arrives in Seward With Dead Pregnant Fin Whale

    The Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 with a dead pregnant fin whale on its bulbous bow. Preliminary findings indicate the whale was killed by a vessel strike. Conservationists and local residents are now demanding that cruise lines limit speeds to 10 knots in whale-populated areas.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Royal Caribbean ship Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19 with a dead pregnant fin whale on its bow.
    • Fin whales are endangered and threatened by vessel strikes.
    • Preliminary findings show a strike by the cruise ship killed the whale.
    • The Center for Biological Diversity requested that Royal Caribbean voluntarily limit ship speeds to 10 knots in areas frequented by whales.
    • Seward residents and the Center for Biological Diversity are demanding a speed limit of 10 knots or less when whales are present across Alaska.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • AIS data shows the Ovation of the Seas was traveling 15 to 20 knots before the strike.
    • A federal investigation into the incident has been sparked.
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