Humpback saved by determined volunteers

Staff Writer

MEMBERS of the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) rushed to help free a humpback whale that had become entangled in ropes and crayfish netting off Olifantsbospunt near Cape Point yesterday.

Following an operation that involved several rescue boats and the use of special equipment such as sharp knives tied to long poles, the animal was freed after about four hours.

The 11m whale appeared exhausted as flotation buoys attached to a rope were keeping it buoyant while one long rope entangled around its flipper was still attached to rock lobster traps on the sea bed, SAWDN member Mike Meyer said.

“During the operation, two larger adult whales appeared and it looked like they were giving some encouragement to the whale while our members cut the rope and netting off the affected whale. The two whales swam around the entangled whale while our members worked to cut it free,” he said.

He said that the humpback had swum freely and appeared comfortable after it was disentangled.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesman Craig Lambinon said: “The operation started at about midday and it was all over by about 3.30pm.”

About the risk involved when entangled whales were freed, he said: “It is normally very risky. A whale is unpredictable and without warning it could use its tail or body to topple a boat.”

Lambinon said that the crew on the Biskop, a rock lobster fishing vessel, had reported a whale in distress about two nautical miles off-shore. When the SAWDN team arrived, the animal’s right flipper and torso were entangled in three ropes, netting and flotation buoys.

“The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries boat Victoria Mxenge arrived on the scene to assist, and they launched a rigid inflatable rubber duck to join the three NSRI sea rescue craft from Kommetjie and Hout Bay, which were carrying the SAWDN members,” Lambinon said.