Whales Inside the Bay

For school-aged kids lucky enough to be invited aboard the German Frers-designed 46-ft sloop Golden Bear, a San Francisco Bay daysail is always a very special experience. But one of last week’s trips was particularly memorable due the sighting of a humpback whale inshore of the Golden Gate Bridge.

"I’ve been sailing on S.F. Bay for almost 50 years and this is the first time I’ve witnessed a humpback whale in the Bay," says Captain Ken Janke. "What was really special was sharing this rare event with ten very excited kids from one of our local community groups." (The nonprofit Blue Water Foundation has been running often-free kids’ sailing programs for decades.)

While sailors usually consider whale sightings to be a special treat, local scientists charged with protecting them become gravely concerned whenever they hear reports of near-shore sightings. This summer, in fact, the staff of the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries — which extend many miles beyond the Golden Gate — is trying to alert mariners that in recent weeks many whales have been sighted traveling closer to shore than is normal. 

"There are large numbers of humpbacks right now in the Golden Gate Straits," wrote Mary Jane Schramm last month with a sense of urgency. "They’re in harm’s way; some are just off the Cliff House."

As a result, ships traveling through the Sanctuaries have been asked to slow to 10 knots during the migration season. And NOAA asks all mariners to report to them any collisions with whales, or any observed injured or dead whales, by calling 877-SOS-WHALE (877-767-9425), or advising the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. 

Boaters can also report whale sightings to [email protected], or through the free, downloadable Whale Alert smartphone app found here.

Just before Mila Zinkova flipped on her video camera, this whale breached within sight of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. As if putting on a show, it then did at least 50 tail slaps.