Incident Photo – Fin Whale Collision Mike Schuler Total Views: 56 October 21, 2008 (Image courtesy: Press-Telegram ) NOAA ship strike reduction rule made major strides recently with its passing of a 10 knot speed limit for large vessels near various high traffic ports along the east coast, however, covering just one of our coasts with a speed limit is only half (at best) the battle. This past weekend, a large container ship struck and killed a 48-foot fin whale while traversing a major shipping lane leading to the port of Long Beach.  With no knowledge to the captain, the vessel proceed to the port with the whale carcass slumped over its bow. While the west coast doesn’t have the highly endangered right whale population of the east coast, large vessels pose the same threats to fin whales and blue whales.  Critics say that without a speed limit imposed, fatal collisions with blue and fin whales will continue to occur. Tags: collision incident photos right whales whales Updated: January 5, 2011 (Originally published October 21, 2008) Editorial Standards · Corrections · About gCaptain Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update — trusted by our 106,013 members Prev Back to Main Next Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Get The Daily Insights That Power Maritime Professionals Worldwide Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox — trusted by our 106,013 members Have a news tip? Let us know. Stay Ahead with Our Weekly ‘Dispatch’ Email Dive into a sea of curated content with our weekly ‘Dispatch’ email. Your personal maritime briefing awaits! Sign Up Sign In Related Articles Collision Two US Navy Ships Collide, No Major Injuries, US Southern Command Says  A U.S. warship and a Navy supply vessel collided during refueling Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Southern Command told Reuters in an emailed statement on Thursday. February 12, 2026 Total Views: 5804 Incide