Technical Director for Olympic Surfing, Erik Krammer, had a nasty collision with a cetacean while out foiling in the San Francisco Bay:
“It was a whale of a day. Please be cautious and respect wildlife, I had reduced my speed greatly because I had seen a couple whales in the area but on my last run back it just popped up right in front of me. Glad we are both ok.” – Erik Krammer
The unfortunate collision comes as officials are urging increased caution on the water due to a surge in gray whale activity in San Francisco Bay.
The Marine Mammal Center recently partnered with the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee to launch “Whale Smart” a new training program aimed at helping vessel operators better identify whales, understand their behavior and avoid dangerous encounters. The initiative follows a spike in whale sightings and strandings in the Bay Area, including multiple suspected vessel strikes, as more whales spend extended time feeding in the region.
The public can play an important role in protecting whales and helping The Marine Mammal Center’s experts by reporting sightings through their website or via the WhaleAlert app.
