Sidney Sterling : “Dead Endangered Whale Caught on Cruise Ship Bow”

A cruise ship made its way into a New York City port with a tragic discovery—a 13-meter endangered whale lying lifeless across its bow. The vessel in question is the MSC Meraviglia, operated by MSC Cruises, which had docked at the Port of Brooklyn before continuing on its journey to the next destination.

Discovery of the Whale

Upon the ship’s approach to the port of New York, a spokesperson for MSC Cruises, Sidney Sterling, confirmed the unfortunate sighting. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Sterling expressed deep regret over the situation and revealed that the relevant authorities had been promptly notified for further investigation.

Endangered Sei Whale

The whale found on the ship’s bow was identified as an endangered sei whale. Andrea Gomez, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries, mentioned that sei whales are typically sighted in deep waters far from coastlines. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement has initiated an inquiry into the incident.

Examination and Investigation

The deceased whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to facilitate a thorough necropsy examination. Gomez noted specific injuries, such as broken bones in the right flipper and tissue trauma in the right shoulder blade region. Samples collected during the examination will aid biologists in determining the cause of the whale’s demise.

Preventive Measures

MSC Cruises emphasised their commitment to marine life conservation and safety. Sterling highlighted the company’s proactive approach, including training deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) and adhering to regulations for marine life protection. Altering itineraries in whale-populated regions is part of their ongoing efforts to prevent collisions.

This article was originally published on Fox News and has been republished with permission.