USCG, NOAA Rescued an Entangled Whale

An entangled whale off the coast of California was rescued with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NOAA personnel contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 8 a.m., on Monday, requesting assistance in locating a whale that had become entangled off the coast of Santa Cruz.

The Coast Guard launched the Monterey-homeported 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat Hawksbill to search for the whale, while a helicopter crew was dispatched and located the whale approximately three miles southwest of Santa Cruz.

Once on scene, the Hawksbill crew enforced a safety zone around the whale, keeping other vessels away, while NOAA personnel conducted the disentanglement.

“We were glad to assist in disentangling the whale so it could continue safely on its way,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Joshua Gunn, Hawksbill's officer-in-charge. “Our partner agencies were instrumental in ensuring the whale was free of the debris and it was a pleasure working with them.”