South Africa Portfolio Travel Blog | Divers Help Whale out of a Tight Spot

Divers Help Whale out of a Tight Spot

08 January 2009

It's not every day you get to touch a live whale - this week a group of divers had the opportunity to not only touch one, but to assist it out of a tight spot which, without their help, could have become a literal dead-end for this big boy. Richard Westby-Nunn tells this amazing whale of a tale...

Yesterday morning a scuba diving expedition led by ProDivers rescued a whale in Maori Bay between Llandudno and Hout Bay. The group was originally destined for Vulcan Rock, but unfavourable conditions led to the group heading through to the Maori wreck in Maori Bay next door. As the boat was motoring along the coast past the wreck of the Romelia a keen-eyed German diver noticed what appeared to be a black bulge sticking out of the water between two rocks in a tiny alcove. The boat ventured in for a closer look, being mindful of the submerged rocks all around. Once the divers noticed a small dorsal fin protruding from the water, and saw a spray of water from the blow hole, they immediately recognised it as a whale. On first assumption the divers thought it might be calving or sheltering, however after a little while it was assumed to be stuck.

A group of three divers, consisting of Charley Gilbert, Ron Smith and Richard Westby-Nunn swam out to investigate. They mounted a rock next to the whale and found that it was lodged between the 2 rocks. It appeared to be stuck and could not back out. Rod Smith, skipper of the vessel, immediately contacted the Marine and Coastal Management(MCM) Department, who said they were going to contact their whale unit.

By this time the rest of the divers from the boat had swum over to have a look. The whale had obviously been there a while for it was scratched and grazed from the mussels on the rocks it was lodged between. It continued to move its tail, but very slowly and the group realised it was obviously quite tired. It was also getting bashed about by the swell and surge.

The tide was now close to high tide and there were suggestions of pushing it out, but as no one was an expert on reversing a 3 ton whale the idea was shelved. The MCM was having problems locating the head of the Whale Unit so Charlie, along with Ron, led the attempt to push the whale back.

After much pushing and shoving the whale began to slowly move backward. Suddenly the rest of the divers, all doubtful at first, climbed in and assisted and after a good 10-15 minutes of manoeuvring, the whale was free of the rocks, and slowly swam off into the bay. It rose a few times, and let off a few blows, in what is assumed to be a thank you gesture. It was originally thought to be a young Southern Right Whale (though we have since had a comment to say that it could be a Humpback whale due to its dorsal fin) and measured around 8-10 metres in length. It hung around the bay for about 20 minutes, after which time it was no longer seen.

Footage from the rescue attempt It is apparently being aired on e-TV tonight around 19h00, and an article is being run in the Cape Times tomorrow.

ProDivers can be contacted on: 021 433 0472, or info@prodivers.co.za

16 Responses to Divers Help Whale out of a Tight Spot

Hey Richard, that is an amazing feat - you guys were certainly in the right place at the right time!! What an experience - AWESOME!

By Jolene on 2009/01/08 09:02:59 PM

Y'know, all too often the news is filled with stories of atrocities, hate and in-humanity, that make me ashamed to belong to this human race.
Then just once in a while, I'll read something like this, of people who, in a single selfless deed, can show what we are really capable of.
And I think there might just be hope for us.

Bravo Zulu, ProDivers.

By André on 2009/01/08 11:06:57 PM

We are very proud of our Whales in Mossel Bay. Our guests appreciate the tranquility at the Lodge and the Sharks and whales they can view at the sea-side.
Kind Regards,
Maggi & Murray Hough
Mossel Bay Golf Lodge

By Murray Hough on 2009/01/09 09:28:59 AM

To all the ProDivers
Brilliant work, thanks to people like yourselves
Keep up the good work
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

By Sally on 2009/01/09 09:32:03 AM

Brilliant well done you guys, what a pity no video coverage could have been recorded, or was it?

By Nigel Sweet on 2009/01/09 09:37:51 AM

Simply awesome, what an experience and as a nature and animal lover I've got to say thanks for going out of your way to rescue this amazing animal. This is every scuba divers dream! Well done!

By Wanita on 2009/01/09 09:57:17 AM

Great Job, but it is not a Souther Right Whale as this one has a dorsal fin which the southern rights don't have. My guess it is a Humpback Whale.

By Stanley on 2009/01/09 09:58:50 AM

Great story, and pictures, well done Richard and friends!

Best wishes,

Trevor Foster
Camps Bay Villa

By Trevor on 2009/01/09 10:05:29 AM

Alas, the story has a sad ending. http://travelblog.portfoliocollection.com/Blog/Sad-Ending-to-Whale-Tale

We applaud the efforts of the divers but I guess if it's your time to go then it's your time :-(

By Joy on 2009/01/09 10:47:44 AM

Well done you guys! Very proud of you.
Keep up the good work.

Kind regards,
Marius & Lorraine
RiverBend Lodge - Addo Elephant National Park

By Lorraine Malherbe on 2009/01/09 11:01:11 AM

Thank heavens that unfavourable weather conditions meant that you took a different route and you were able to save the whale. What an amazing story. Well Done!
Anne
Tesorino B&B in Umhlanga.

By Anne Mexson on 2009/01/09 11:47:26 AM

As real animal lovers - so proud of you! Well done, if only all in South Africa will love everyone as much! Keep up the good work everyone!

Best wishes all of you for 2009!

THYS & O'NEL ROUX
ROUXWIL COUNTRY HOUSE
GREYTON COUNTRY

By THYS & O'NEL ROUX on 2009/01/09 12:32:41 PM

Well done to all involved in the rescue effort. It is good to see there are people out there willing to help when help is needed. And this for an animal(mammal).
It is unfortunate that the humpback, that was saved by the pro divers group, eventually beached itself again and died(Sunset Beach).
This still takes nothing away from the heroics of the Pro Divers group.
Well Done!!!

Regards
Johan Haupt
Francistown,Botswana (formally Cape Town)

By Johan on 2009/01/09 03:29:35 PM

May you guys never forget how appreciated you are in a world that could do with more people like you.

Well done to all of you - an awesome feat!!!!

Michelle of St Lucia - Northern Kwa Zulu Natal

By Michelle on 2009/01/09 03:46:00 PM

Well done all involved.. what a fabulous story but really sorry to read the sad ending :(

By Carolyne on 2009/01/09 08:11:49 PM

I also fully agree that when your time is up it is up but clearly ths remarkable and exquisite whale held on because on another level he knew his time was not up and along came these brave young men absolutely not by mistake to the rescue. Life is about choice and this mammal was not ready to throw in the towel and become a baggy minnow it his next life!!!. In a world filled with so much suffering I applaud those of us brave enough to make a difference.Well done guys.
Everything of the best for 2009 what a wonderul way to start
Maureen

Gilmourhill B&B
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town

By Maureen Marshall Gilmourhill B&B on 2009/01/10 07:27:51 AM