A whale carcass has been towed to Hout Bay after being found floating in Kommetjie. On Monday morning at 10.45am, NSRI Kommetjie and Hout Bay were activated following eye witness reports of a whale carcass spotted floating 200 metres off shore.
An NSRI investigation determined that the carcass would wash ashore at Kommetjie near the boat slip-way. The City of Cape Town Marine Animal Standing Network were activated, but as a precaution the NSRI launched a deep sea rescue craft to reach the scene quickly. They attached a towline to ensure that the carcass did not wash ashore while the Marine Animal Standing Network was on route.
A second NSRI craft was also launched to assist with the maneuverability around the carcass as the towline was being attached. The 12 metre Humpback Whale was secured on the towline and successfully towed out to sea and away from the shoreline.
Our Hout Bay crew towing a whale carcass to Hout Bay harbour so that CoCT cleansing department can dispose of it. pic.twitter.com/Mwe9pGSyyr
— NSRI (@NSRI) June 25, 2018
The NSRI Hout Bay deep sea rescue craft has successfully towed the carcass to Hout Bay where the Marine Animal Standing Network cleansing department, are arranging the recovery of the carcass as well as the safe disposal. The carcass has been confirmed as an adult Southern Right Whale approximately 18 meters in length, weighing over 40 tons.
Picture: Twitter, Supplied