[CINC] Ranger 85 Feb 3

[Pam Yerger]

Ranger 85 had 2 sold out groups for today but cancelled the afternoon trip due to high winds and rough seas.  They gave passengers the option to turn around once they realized how rough it would be, but the majority said to keep going.  Unfortunately we saw zero dolphins, some sea lions on the east end of Anacapa beaches, a lot of cormorants, pelicans and seagulls but nothing more.  As we were returning to the harbor, one little boy and captain Alex both spotted a small gray  whale breaching literally just outside the breakwater.  We stopped and waited for awhile but the whale never re-surfaced.  there was a guy on a jet ski tearing around right where the whale had surfaced, so we don't know if that spooked the whale or not.
The little boy was just telling me that this trip was his birthday present and then he spotted the whale.  He was so excited and I honestly thought he was making it up until Alex confirmed the sighting.
It was a very rough day on the water but most passengers enjoyed themselves despite the lack of marine life.  Several commented on what a treat it was to see Anacapa up close.
Summary:
Even though one passenger and Alex saw the small gray whale, no one else did, so it was basically a zero whale dayZero dolphinsSea lions on Anacapa beachesLOTS of cormorants, pelicans and gulls
Captain Alex tried hard to find a whale for us and Justin kept folks fed with snacks.
Pam Yerger 		 	   		  
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