Coast Guard, NOAA team up to save whales

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | U.S. Coast Guard Fireman Corey Moses, Station Honolulu engineer, listens to Edward Lyman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary large whale entanglement response coordinator, as he gives advice on how to throw a grappling hook during whale disentanglement training facilitated by members of the NOAA Nov. 10, 2015, off the coast of Honolulu. The training was focused on tactics to help humpback whales that get caught in various forms of man-made debris. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

11.10.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

HONOLULU – As 2015 nears its end, the region can expect an increase in humpback whales as the animal's peak breeding months begin in January.

The U.S. Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) trained together while underway off the coast of Oahu Nov. 10. The training helped familiarize participants with skills and techniques needed to safely help whales that become entangled in debris.

Coast Guardsmen assigned to U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Station Honolulu received classroom instruction and hands-on training focused on attaching transmitter buoys to simulated whales. By familiarizing themselves with equipment and tactics, some participants felt more confident in handling equipment necessary to disentangle whales during a real-world operation.

Edward Lyman, NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary large whale entanglement response coordinator, led the instruction of the training event.

“We are reviewing our operations toward freeing a large whale from a life-threatening entanglement,” Lyman said. “It’s unique for both sides, both the NOAA fisheries and the sanctuary deal with these large whales with the Coast Guard. [Coast Guardsmen] do a lot of human safety but this is a little bit different. It’s still human safety but it’s also whale safety. We’re working together, taking advantage of our different expertise, our skillsets, and our resources to come together, pull those resources and get the job done safely.”

During the training, Coast Guardsmen took turns attempting to throw a grappling hook and snare a line that simulated debris attached to a humpback whale. After catching the line, another Coast Guardsman would drop a transmitter buoy that was connected to the hook to ensure the marine animal could be tracked.

Lyman explained why the training is so critical in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.

“This is the major and most important breeding ground of humpback whales in the north Pacific,” Lyman said. “We’re talking over 10,000 humpback whales that are going to be here throughout the whale breeding season.”

U.S. Coast Guard Fireman Corey Moses, Station Honolulu engineer, said that the training was an experience that offered knowledge he plans to hold onto.

“I took away experience first and foremost,” Moses said. “Being able to be more comfortable in that situation is outstanding when I run into this or if somebody needs advice on this situation. It’s just more experience and knowledge, the basis of everything we do here.”

Moses said that working with NOAA during the training was beneficial and a great opportunity.

“These guys do it, it’s their job to do it, and to have them come to teach us how to do it is an honor,” Moses said. “It’s just another tool that we can use in these situations. We do see these kinds of situations, so it’s very practical knowledge.”

Aside from making sure professionals such as members of the Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries, the sanctuary program, and Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, are prepared to respond to situations involving whales, Lyman hopes that the local populace remains safe.

“We need some help here,” Lyman said. “We don’t want the people on the water to engage and cut the animals free on their own, but we need the reports. We need people to call us in. They are the foundation of the effort. Please call that hotline number, 888-256-9840, call the Coast Guard on Channel 16, they’ll relay the report. That’s a major role that everyone out there can play.”

Lyman said that with the combined efforts and cooperation of the community, NOAA, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Coast Guard, the rescuing of whales in the north Pacific can be accomplished more effectively and safely.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2015
• Date Posted: 11.18.2015 19:08
• Story ID: 182297
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US