Ferry service in Boston Harbor is expected to face mild disruptions, as the MBTA has alerted the public to anticipate potential delays. The cause is an unusual one—a juvenile humpback whale that has been residing in the harbor since late July. The MBTA has announced that "Ferry service may experience minor delays through tomorrow, August 15, due to the presence of a juvenile humpback whale in Boston Harbor," according to a statement picked up by CBS News Boston.
The young whale, estimated to be between 35 and 40 feet in length, has become somewhat of a local curiosity. Linnea Mayfield of Boston Harbor City Cruises suggested the whale likely followed its prey into these bustling waters. "Where the fish go, the whales follow," she said in a narrative presented by WHDH News. Unfortunately, this places the whale in a precarious situation amidst dense maritime traffic, prompting concerns among experts and officials.
The whale's stay in the busy Boston Harbor has raised alarms among marine biologists, with vessel strikes being a leading cause of whale mortality. In an interview with CBS News Boston, Mayfield described witnessing the humpback in "an incredibly precarious situation," alarmingly close to significant container ships sailing through the harbor. The proximity of the whale to these hefty vessels has heightened anxiety for Mayfield, who has also seen worrisome interactions between the whale and boaters on social media.
Biology experts and local authorities are hopeful that the whale will soon follow its food sources back to safer seas. Mayfield has urged seafarers to maintain a prudent distance—at least 100 feet—from the marine giant and do not accelerate suddenly should they encounter it. She also recommends that boaters educate themselves on the proper protocols for such encounters, advocating "See A Spout? Watch Out!"—a free educational course that is available to the public. "This really shouldn't be treated as an opportunity to watch these animals close up," Mayfield told CBS News Boston, stressing the importance of respecting the whale's space, especially during its feeding time.
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