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
