[CINC] Double Dolphin-4/22

[paul jr petrich]

Ocean People,
  The Double Dolphin went out on both trips Monday. After full-boat loads over the weekend, we had only 4 and 2 passengers respectively today-But what a day!
Captain Tyler skippered both trips westward to the sea shores of Hope Ranch and back. Deckhand Colton spotted most whales today! On each trip we spotted Grey Whales on the way back. Aboard the 10 a.m. cruise we had a couple from Georgia and another couple from the Netherlands aboard. They were treated to two long sightings totaling 5 Grey Whales ( 2 calves ). Seas were calm, but a marine layer persisted. 
  The sun came out for the 1 p.m. trip for the couple aboard from Belgium who had never seen a whale before! We spotted nothing until we got a report from the Condor on the way back about whales off of Shoreline Park. Then things really got exciting. Our Belgian couple ended up viewing 11 Greys ( 5 calves ) in three separate sightings.
  The second of these sightings  requires special note: We escorted 5 Grey's (2 calves), at a steady 3.5 knots from east Shoreline Park to the Mesa Steps at only about 300 yards off shore, just outside the kelp.  Suddenly, at Lat. 34. 23.642 and Long. 119. 43.994, the procession stopped, and in a area no larger than 50 yards square, all five whales began behaving strangely in all manners! They submerged, seemingly blowing bubbles from a bottom no deeper than 20-30 feet. They backtracked and milled around, coming up to spy hop! They rolled on their sides on the surface, and under water. At times one would  come up with kelp on its head. At times al would be under and we would see only bubbles, then all would be top rolling around and spy hopping! This fun or feeding (or both) continued for exactly 20 minutes, then just as suddenly as it started, one of the adults started their 3.5 knot procession westward again, as if nothing has distracted them from it. 
 Of special, special note, at exactly this very same spot, 300 yds off off the Mesa Steps, I recorded a lone Grey adult behaving in almost the same behavior last Saturday on the Double Dolphin with Captain Tyler at the helm. Captain Tyler says he witnesses this action often at this same spot. He believes they are feeding, and noted for our viewing aboard, a slight sandy discoloration of the fluke prints left behind.  Food for Thought?!   Paul Petrich
  
 
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