At ORCA, we know that every ferry journey has the potential to become an unforgettable wildlife encounter. But some days at sea exceed even our expectations, and Marine Mammal Surveyors, George and Anne, recently experienced one of those unforgettable crossings.
Travelling on Brittany Ferries’ ship the Saint Malo during the first week of July, George and Anne were eager to explore a route that they haven't surveyed as Marine Mammal Surveyors before, as passengers on their holidays. With clear views of the Channel Islands and the French coast, the pair spent most of the crossing on deck scanning for wildlife. Their first reward came just off Jersey, “We had a sighting of four dolphins… possibly bottlenose,” George recalls. Soon after, another passenger spotted two harbour porpoise, quickly followed by sightings of an unidentified dolphin and an ocean sunfish gliding close to the ship.
Approaching the English coast between Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight, George and Anne were chatting with curious passengers when the moment arrived. Anne suddenly shouted, “Breach! Whale! Breach!” What followed was a spectacle few ever witness in UK waters, repeated distant breaches from a humpback whale. Despite the distance, George and Anne managed to capture photos confirming the species, and then came another surprise. “We saw two blows in different places indicating there were actually two animals.” says George. Children and adults alike gathered to watch, creating a shared moment of awe that spread across the decks.
Just when George and Anne thought their trip couldn't get any more exciting, Anne moved to the starboard side of the ship and spotted a huge blow on the horizon east of Portsmouth. “Definitely a whale,” George notes, and given the height of the blow, potentially a fin whale, the second‑largest animal on the planet.
This extraordinary day is a powerful reminder of why ORCA’s work, and the dedication of our volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyors, is so important. Cetaceans are using the English Channel more than many people realise, and ferry routes offer incredible opportunities to monitor and protect them.
As George says, “Remember your next ferry trip is not just a journey from A to B… it’s also a wildlife cruise. Don’t forget your binoculars!”
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