Hullo Ferry Humpback Whale Collision Injures Calf Near Vancouver
- Cindy Peterson
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
Photos Reveal Injured Calf After Hullo Ferry Humpback Whale Collision
A routine ferry trip across English Bay on Oct. 17, 2025 turned tragic after a Hullo Ferry humpback whale collision left a young calf injured. The whale, known to researchers as Skipper, was later spotted with a deep wound across its back.
The incident has raised new questions about whether marine traffic and returning whale populations can safely share the same coastal waters that define Vancouver’s skyline.
The Collision Near Vancouver’s Shoreline
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed that a Hullo Ferries vessel struck a humpback whale near English Bay on Friday. The ferry Spuhels, which operates between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, was on a scheduled sailing at the time.
Hullo said the bridge team performed a crash stop maneuver after spotting the animal and followed all safety and reporting protocols. The whale was later seen swimming north, though its condition was not immediately known.
Injured Calf Identified as ‘Skipper’
Marine researchers confirmed the whale as Skipper, a calf who travels with its mother, Zig Zag. The pair are familiar to whale-watch operators along British Columbia’s south coast.
Photos shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association showed a deep gash across the calf’s back. The group said the photo was taken just days after the reported collision and only a few kilometers from the site.
Investigation Underway by Federal Authorities
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has launched an investigation into the Hullo Ferry humpback whale collision and says Hullo Ferries is cooperating. The company provided CCTV footage and crew reports showing the whale swimming away from the area.
“Given the seriousness of the injury it will be important to monitor the animal’s healing progress,” the department said. Both the DFO and whale-watch groups are continuing to track sightings of Skipper and Zig Zag.
Whale Collisions Increasing Along B.C. Coast
The collision has reignited concern about how often large vessels make contact with whales in busy shipping zones. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the DFO logged more than 2,100 marine mammal incidents across Canada, including 949 in British Columbia waters.
A humpback was also found dead last month near a site where it was reportedly struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel. Researchers say many collisions likely go unreported because injured whales often disappear before they can be found.
Why It Matters for Coastal Vancouver
English Bay is one of Canada’s most crowded waterways, shared daily by ferries, freighters, and recreational boats. Every strike highlights how close whale habitat now sits to urban marine routes.
Researchers say the rising number of humpback sightings near Vancouver is a sign of recovery for the species. It also increases the risk of accidents in waters that are busier than ever. Conservation groups are now calling for slower vessel speeds and stronger monitoring systems to protect whales as they return to the coast.
DFO Monitoring Injured Humpback Calf ‘Skipper’ After Hullo Ferry Humpback Whale Collision
Skipper was last seen alive, swimming north with her mother near Vancouver’s shoreline. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it will continue to monitor the young whale’s recovery and track future sightings in the area.
Hullo Ferries said it is reviewing its operations to prevent future strikes and ensure compliance with Canada’s Marine Mammal Guidelines. The company runs up to 14 daily sailings between Vancouver and Nanaimo using two high-speed catamarans.
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