Salted
Active Member
Was fishing the other day, and heard a rather questionable use of VHF 16 throughout the day by a group known as Straightwatch. Apparently they're a non-profit with the goal of informing other vessels about whales in the immediate area. Seems reasonable.
A few days prior we'd been fishing the same area, and there were some grey whales in the pass. This was communicated professionally and succinctly by other vessels transiting the pass (not Straightwatch). Good clear information.
A few days later a humpback comes around, and Straightwatch is hailing individual vessels with nonsensical descriptions "white hulled vessle nearing active pass" ... ok, that only applies to at least half a dozen folks out here... my fishing partner and I kept scratching our heads at how they used VHF 16. Confusing and congesting VHF 16. To put it politely, they need to refine their technique.
As we packed up and headed towards the nearest point *in a direct course several hundred meters away from the humpback whales*, they followed us at high speed. I stopped to hear their concern, not a particularly friendly bunch, just interested in saying their bit about the whale and the speed/distance requirements, then suggested we alter course beyond our already adequate distance.
The law is the law, stopping a vessel underway, while in compliance, and *not even close* to an intercept vector on the whales, just so you can say your bit is not acceptable. You are overstepping.
Is Straightwatch one of those rent-a-non-profit groups just used by whale watching companies or the politics of the DFO to say "see we're making a difference"? Because when we ran into them they did make a difference, they were unprofessional and in need of some management.
Anyone here had an interaction with Straightwatch? Positive or negative - would like to hear it!
A few days prior we'd been fishing the same area, and there were some grey whales in the pass. This was communicated professionally and succinctly by other vessels transiting the pass (not Straightwatch). Good clear information.
A few days later a humpback comes around, and Straightwatch is hailing individual vessels with nonsensical descriptions "white hulled vessle nearing active pass" ... ok, that only applies to at least half a dozen folks out here... my fishing partner and I kept scratching our heads at how they used VHF 16. Confusing and congesting VHF 16. To put it politely, they need to refine their technique.
As we packed up and headed towards the nearest point *in a direct course several hundred meters away from the humpback whales*, they followed us at high speed. I stopped to hear their concern, not a particularly friendly bunch, just interested in saying their bit about the whale and the speed/distance requirements, then suggested we alter course beyond our already adequate distance.
The law is the law, stopping a vessel underway, while in compliance, and *not even close* to an intercept vector on the whales, just so you can say your bit is not acceptable. You are overstepping.
Is Straightwatch one of those rent-a-non-profit groups just used by whale watching companies or the politics of the DFO to say "see we're making a difference"? Because when we ran into them they did make a difference, they were unprofessional and in need of some management.
Anyone here had an interaction with Straightwatch? Positive or negative - would like to hear it!
