Whale Washed Up On Beach

This I think is the remains of a Sperm Whale which was washed up on a local beach. It is thought that it was either attacked by a shark or hit by a ships prop. It was buried further up the shore on the beach a couple of days later.

Stuart

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I blame Murlocks.

Shocking picture. It indeed does look like ships propeller damage, but it doesn't make it any more pleasing to look at. Its a good capture of a moment, did you send it to the local paper?

Must have been a HUUUUUUUUUGE prop. poor bloody whales have nothing going for them at the moment. Boats, props, whalers.....

thats exactly what it is, sperm whale and a ships screw, but for that many hits my guess would be a ship with fast spinning props, something like a Navy ship, big prop, high RPM and long prop blades.

I've seen a lot of pictures of prop injuries, and that looks like a textbook prop strike. Typically the prop will cut, cut, cut, pulling the animal (or human) through its path, until it reaches the point of greatest resistance (on a human usually the shoulder or hip). Poor whale. Ships and motorboats could use prop guards without a major loss of efficiency, but a lot of red tape gets in the way of that ever happening.

such a pitty for such a magnificent animal

Thanks for the comments.
Its obvious there is a lot of emotion involved when a magnificent
creature such as this is needlessly killed either intentionally or otherwise.

Stuart

Well for me there is a lot more emotion for the humans that die needlessly by props, and the absence of any work to stop it. The only animals that are being protected from props by laws are manatees. No offense to the manatee, but I think humans, then whales and other mammals, should be getting the attention.

I dunno chandler.. what numbers do you have on (human) prop fatalities? I can see what you are saying, but i just don't see the numbers warranting such a (potentially expensive) modification on all outboards. In my experience (as a regular and avid power-boatie) the big killers are stupidity, alcohol, inexperience and just plain old bad luck. I cannot remember a single case of fatality due to propellor in my neck of the woods.. and I live in a city where boating is a hugely popular pastime.

spelchek wrote in post #4424177
I dunno chandler.. what numbers do you have on (human) prop fatalities? I can see what you are saying, but i just don't see the numbers warranting such a (potentially expensive) modification on all outboards. In my experience (as a regular and avid power-boatie) the big killers are stupidity, alcohol, inexperience and just plain old bad luck. I cannot remember a single case of fatality due to propellor in my neck of the woods.. and I live in a city where boating is a hugely popular pastime.

Oh, you're just baiting me .

Well, let's start off with me. Bad luck. No alcohol, just wrong place, wrong time. http://archives.seattl​etimes.nwsource.com …19&query=chandl​er+balkman

Here are some statistics for the US:

As for cost, it's about $200, and it would be nothing if mercruiser and others had it built in. They don't effect efficiency, and aren't complicated. Just a metal ring around the prop. It is the boating corporations, not cost, that gets in the way.

Havnt been thru the stats you provided, but just clicked the link you gave then... just wanted to quickly apologise for any offense I may have caused.. I seriously had NO idea and am VERY sorry. I meant no offense.

Hey no worries mate . You gave an unbiased opinion that most people have. It's just one of the few things I feel strongly about, so when I get the chance, I try to educate. Seriously, absolutely no offense taken.

Phew For a moment there I thought I'd made an enemy for life! I don't really want to debate the point any further with you for obvious reasons - plus I doubt anything I could say would change your mind (again for obvious reasons). I am interested to know what the period of time those figures you gave are taken over - is that a yearly number?. All I know is I have never heard of human fatalities by prop strike in Moreton Bay (my play ground).

FWIW, I take boating safety VERY seriously. I just buried a friend about a month and a half ago who died in a boating accident (combination of bad luck, woefully inadequate lighting of a new land reclamation rock-wall and over-reliance on GPS (along with under reliance on eyes)). I too have some serious scars on my leg due to a vehicluar ferry exceeding speed limits and not giving warning of its approach (do a search for my piccies here - I - like you - was keen on photographing the whole event) - of course IM not trying to compare my injuries to yours.

You have definitely given me food for thought tho!

spelchek wrote in post #4424276
Phew For a moment there I thought I'd made an enemy for life! I don't really want to debate the point any further with you for obvious reasons - plus I doubt anything I could say would change your mind (again for obvious reasons). I am interested to know what the period of time those figures you gave are taken over - is that a yearly number?. All I know is I have never heard of human fatalities by prop strike in Moreton Bay (my play ground).

FWIW, I take boating safety VERY seriously. I just buried a friend about a month and a half ago who died in a boating accident (combination of bad luck, woefully inadequate lighting of a new land reclamation rock-wall and over-reliance on GPS (along with under reliance on eyes)). I too have some serious scars on my leg due to a vehicluar ferry exceeding speed limits and not giving warning of its approach (do a search for my piccies here - I - like you - was keen on photographing the whole event) - of course IM not trying to compare my injuries to yours.

You have definitely given me food for thought tho!

Not sure about the time period for those figures. They are from SPIN (Stop Propellor Injuries Now).

I'm sorry about your friend. That is very unfortunate.