19 APRIL 2026 species of whale spotted. The next boat that sees the whale doesn’t report it if it hasn’t changed location. However, if the whale has moved, perhaps from north channel buoy one to north channel buoy three, the captain will call in the new position and details. All operators are informed of the change via channel 14. It’s a streamlined approach so that vessels don’t have to contact VTS with the information and then have VTS relay it to other operators; everyone is listen- ing to the same channel and hears the details in real time. The key has been to get all operators doing this consistent- ly. It’s been a priority of official messaging and has also been communicated via word of mouth and conversations directly with captains. Having everyone always report sightings and pertinent details allows operators through- out the Bay to plan their routes as safely as possible. When Heeter came back to the team at Blue & Gold Fleet discussing the tasks the HSC SF was undertaking, the com- pany was receptive to the changes. Patrick Murphy, president of Blue & Gold Fleet, noted that the team jumped in and immediately wanted to know “What can we do to make sure that we’re mitigating any chance or possibility of a strike?” On the company’s high-speed routes where vessels are trav- eling over 30 knots, it has always been protocol to have a second watchstander. Blue & Gold Fleet has implemented this same practice on their medium-speed vessels traveling closer to 25-27 knots. Murphy explained that these routes Communication of whale sightings has been rethought, and sightings are now shared on an open channel. GLADDING-HEARN.COM The German propulsion expert SCHOTTEL presents a space-saving CLE installation variant of its proven EcoPeller (SRE). The space-optimized support structure, the omission of the gearbox and an integrated electric motor (LE-Drive) enable an extremely low overall height while maintaining low noise and vibration levels. This makes it ideally suitable for the passenger vessel sector. www.schottel.com YOUR PROPULSION EXPERTS SCHOTTEL EcoPeller SCORES WITH COMPACT VERSION more flexibility more comfort more space
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