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Collisions between vessels
and marine fauna
Collisions between vessels and marine fauna are an
increasing problem in many parts of the world, including
in Australia. Although incidents are often underreported,
the growing number of vessels and the range of marine
fauna found in Australian waters poses a significant risk of
vessel strike in some locations. This is particularly the case
in coastal waters where the distribution of marine fauna
including whales, dolphins, dugongs or turtles may overlap
with a large number of vessels of various types and sizes.
If a large commercial vessel, such as a bulk carrier, collides
with an animal, death or injury to the animal can occur, as
well as potential damage to the vessel’s hull, propellers,
shafts and rudders. However, if a smaller vessel collides
with an animal it poses a risk not only to the animal, but also
to the people on board, and to the vessel itself – human
injuries and vessel damage may be significant.
Species involved
Marine mammals, turtles and whale sharks are protected
species in Australian waters, both under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and
under the legislation of each of the various states and
territories. Of these species, some are more prone to
vessel strike than others. In particular, slow moving whales,
dugongs and turtles, and even in some cases dolphins,
are susceptible to being struck.
Although vessel strike of marine fauna can occur anywhere
in Australian waters, it is in ‘hotspot’ locations where
probabilities and impacts are increased. Dugongs in
1
Moreton Bay (QLD) and snubfin dolphins in Roebuck Bay
(WA) provide two examples of species and locations where
multiple vessel strikes have occurred. Additionally, in places
where many vessels are found, individual animals may also
become habituated to vessel disturbance, increasing the
risk of vessel strikes due to a lower avoidance response.
With more than 20,000 humpback whales migrating up
both the east and west coasts of Australia each year, as
well as other species of whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles
and whale sharks that are distributed around Australia’s
coastline, the potential for vessels to encounter and collide
with marine fauna requires vigilance from vessel operators.
Impacts on humans and vessels
Collisions between vessels and marine fauna pose a risk
not only to the animal(s) involved, but also to the vessel and
the people on board. Smaller vessels colliding with large
whales have the potential to result in serious injuries to those
on board, as well as to cause significant damage to the
vessel. Recent analyses of whale strike data have shown
that vessel collisions with whales in Australian waters have
resulted in two human fatalities, eight vessels have been
sunk, capsized and/or abandoned and twenty vessels have
been badly damaged1. In one instance off North Stradbroke
Island, a Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) vessel collided
with a whale while en route to assist another vessel, resulting
in major damage to the hull of the VMR vessel. This incident
also resulted in one person on board dislocating their
shoulder while another received facial injuries.
Source: Peel et al (2016) Historical Data on Australian Whale Vessel Strikes. Paper to the IWC.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia – March 2017
AMSA 283 (3/17) Page 1 of 3
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Impacts on fauna
Impacts from collisions between vessels and marine fauna
may range from minor injuries to the death of an animal.
The level of impact depends on various factors, including
the size of the animal, which part of the body is struck by
which part of the vessel, and the size, type and speed of
the vessel. Propellers and hulls, in particular, can cause
significant damage to even the largest whales.
In some instances, collisions could even have populationlevel effects on marine fauna, especially for highly
threatened species. For example, for a whale species
with a small population and limited evidence of recovery,
the loss of even one mature female could have adverse
impacts on the population.
on where the animal is struck, however the damage can
still be significant. Regardless of the species involved,
the faster the vessel is travelling, the less time both the
person in charge of the vessel and the animal have to
react, and the severity of impact to both animal and vessel
increases if they do collide. Risk of impacts also increases
in shallower waters where a vessel has less under-keel
clearance, leaving an animal less room to avoid the vessel
and increasing the chances of collision.
How to prevent incidents
The best ways to reduce the risk of collisions with marine
fauna are to:
• maintain a diligent lookout, where possible, posting
extra lookouts to scan ahead with binoculars, on the
bridge or from the bow of the vessel;
• reduce speed, especially when entering and leaving
ports, bays and harbours; and
• adhere to the minimum approach distances outlined
in the Australian National Guidelines for Whale and
Dolphin Watching (see below) or the applicable
legislation in your jurisdiction.
APPROACH DISTANCE FOR DOLPHINS
Photo: D. Burns
Humpback whales with propeller marks
as a result of a vessel collisions
APPROACH DISTANCE FOR WHALES
Photo: D. Paton
Speed and depth
Studies of ship strike on large whale species have shown
the biggest impacts occur when the vessel is travelling
at more than 15 knots, at which speed most collisions
result in lethal injuries to the animal. Speeds of 8 knots or
below are less likely to result in a lethal injury, depending
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia – March 2017
AMSA 283 (3/17) Page 2 of 3
FactFact
Sheet
– Collisions
between
small vessels
and marine
fauna
Sheet
– Transferring
ownership
of an Australian
ship
In general, in the caution zone speed should be constant
and slow (less than six knots), and leave a negligible wake.
Vessels should remain behind or to the side of the whales,
never drive in their path of travel or try to approach them
head on. If a whale approaches the vessel, slow down
to a “no wash” speed and move away or disengage your
vessels gears and don’t make sudden course corrections.
A Master’s obligation to navigate at a safe speed, and
maintain a safe and proper lookout, is outlined in the
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea (COLREG) and enacted in Australian
legislation (the Navigation Act 2012).
Northern Territory
Marine Wildwatch
1800 453 941
Commonwealth Waters
National Ship Strike Database
https://data.marinemammals.gov.au/report/shipstrike
Vessel operators are encouraged to enter incidents
in state waters into the National Ship Strike Database
managed by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre:
https://data.marinemammals.gov.au/report/shipstrike.
Vessel operators should also be aware of potential
‘hotspots’ in their area, such as special management
zones. In some locations ‘caution zones’ or seasonal
exclusions may exist to protect particularly susceptible
species. Vessels travelling at night or in other low visibility
situations may also consider slowing down and should
maintain a careful lookout.
Reporting of incidents
In the event of a vessel colliding with protected marine
fauna, Commonwealth or, in some areas state/territory
legislation, requires the local authorities to be notified, both
for the animal’s welfare and to maintain incident records.
The contact phone numbers to report injured marine
mammals in each Australian jurisdiction are as follows:
Queensland
RSPCA QLD
Ph: 1300 264 625
New South Wales
Office of Environment and Heritage State Duty Officer
Ph: (02) 9895 6444
Victoria
Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline
Ph: 1300 136 017
Tasmania
Whale Hotline
0427 942 537
South Australia
24 hour FISHWATCH hotline
1800 065 522
Western Australia
Wildcare Helpline
(08) 9474 9055
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia – November 2016
AMSA 131 (11/16) Page 3 of 3