Another hi-speed ferry hits 'whale' in Kyushu

[Kim]

This seems to be happening a lot recently. This one injured 49 people - some quite seriously.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4893370.stm

 

[Jim Ernst]

This seems to be happening a lot recently. This one injured 49 people - some quite seriously.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4893370.stm

this really sucks, i am so sorry for the persons involved, and i hope that they fair well!!! and i also hope that the animal that they struck will be o k , i hate to see/hear of another georgous creature being hurt or killed!!!

 

[Kim]

There is some talk in Kyushu (where I live) of suspending the hi-speed ferries at certain times of the year - especially the Fukuoka (Japan) - Pusan (Korea) one. Something to do with the whale migrations. I believe it's on this route they've had the most incidents. It's the first one I've heard about in the Kagoshima area. Maybe there are simply more whales about these days - or their migatory patterns are changing. It's odd though as a few years ago I'd never heard of it.

 

[Jim Ernst]

There is some talk in Kyushu (where I live) of suspending the hi-speed ferries at certain times of the year - especially the Fukuoka (Japan) - Pusan (Korea) one. Something to do with the whale migrations. I believe it's on this route they've had the most incidents. It's the first one I've heard about in the Kagoshima area. Maybe there are simply more whales about these days - or their migatory patterns are changing. It's odd though as a few years ago I'd never heard of it.

kim, this all really sucks for the persons that were injuered, and as well i have great concern for both the people and the animals , as we all know the population of the whales is really getting scarce, and for the people i hope they and thier families will all be ok!!!! i hope that they do change the itinarey so that all (whales and people) will fair well!!!!

 

[Jason Ooi]

Hi Kim,

I saw from media NEW about the tragedy, but didn't mention the "whales"?

Jason

 

[Kim]

i hope that they do change the itinarey so that all (whales and people) will fair well!!!!

Well - there is talk about it. The problem of course is that as Japan is all islands, hi-speed ferries are rather important in a lot of places. Limiting ferry services would have a very far-reaching effect on a lot of peoples lives. Of course.....so do accidents.

 

[Kim]

Hi Kim,

I saw from media NEW about the tragedy, but didn't mention the "whales"?

Jason

yes....Reuters and the BBC (and others) are talking about "probably" a whale or other large marine animal. A whale would seem to be the most likely although they aren't completely sure as far as I can tell.

 

[Jason Ooi]

Thank!

yes....Reuters and the BBC (and others) are talking about "probably" a whale or other large marine animal. A whale would seem to be the most likely although they aren't completely sure as far as I can tell.

 

[pakman]

another article from Apr. 1 on the growing # of whale accidents on the Fukuoka/Busan ferry route. Guess those jpy100mil anti-whale noise devices aren't working... Also, appears that local fisherman are also finding an unusually large amt of whales caught in their nets...

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200604010276.html

 

[Jason Ooi]

Any news about the Whales situation?