Golden Gate Ferry is Whale Aware
Golden Gate Ferry is committed to sharing the Bay safely with the region’s beloved and vulnerable marine life. As whale migration season returns this spring, bringing a near record number of whale sightings in the Bay, we continue to follow our 'Whale Aware' practices that help keep Bay whales safe by reducing the likelihood of collisions.
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Golden Gate Ferry’s Whale Aware practices include:
- Give Them Space - We monitor whale reports for any recent sightings and adjust our ferry routes to steer clear of whales.
- See a Blow, Go Slow – Our staff are on the lookout for whales and other marine mammals on every trip. Ferry captains are instructed to slow down if a whale is spotted in the area.
- Raise Awareness – When a ferry slows down or changes course to avoid whales, our captains make an announcement for our passengers. The announcements help inform our passengers of the steps we’re taking to protect marine life, raise awareness of marine conservation efforts, and offer an opportunity to see and admire whales from a distance.
- Support Whale Conservation – we report all whale sightings with precise timing and location to local authorities, supporting Bay whale research and rescue efforts.
Golden Gate Ferry’s Whale Aware practices are part of our regular, year-round ferry operations. The procedures were developed in consultation with our partners at the Marine Mammal Center and U.S. Coast Guard.
In addition to our proactive steps to reduce impacts to vulnerable marine species, Golden Gate Ferry serves as a member of the San Francisco Bay Harbor Safety Committee’s Marine Mammals Working Group, which consists of conservationists, industry partners, and regulatory agencies. The group is responsible for developing guidance and best practices to mitigate marine mammal strikes in the Bay.
Golden Gate Ferry is proud to operate in one of the world’s most vibrant marine environments, and we are committed to providing safe, sustainable, and responsible marine transportation across the Bay.