SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Coast Guard appreciates mariners for operating their vessels in a safe manor, while transiting inside San Diego Bay, this past weekend due to the “wayward” whale.
Coast Guard operations concerning the whale are currently on hold pending future requests for assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Since Tuesday, “Diego” the 30-foot gray whale, has been spotted swimming around San Diego Bay attracting the interest of mariners and tourists alike.
The Coast Guard is concerned with an increase of vessel traffic out on the water, wanting to catch a glimpse of the whale when it surfaces. Although Saturday the cloudy skies may have kept traffic low, Sunday’s warmer weather and sunshine had people spotting the whale several times as it swam along the bay from Point Loma to South Bay and back toward the Embarcadero.
Several volunteers from the Coast Guard Auxiliary were out on the bay this weekend to assist the Coast Guard in notifying mariners to continue to operate their vessel at a safe speed and remain vigilant especially in areas where the whale has been sighted and to respect the 100-yard distance regulation.
