Entangled Humpback whale rescued from ropes by Navy divers - Scotland

07/11/2007 00:00:00 May 2006. Royal Navy divers have successfully freed a seven-metre long whale caught in creel lines near Applecross, east of the Isle of Skye. The humpback whale became ensnared after three creel ropes, including one with a marker buoy, got wrapped around its tail, leaving the animal in some distress – the lines were secured to the seabed, leaving the whale unable to pull away.

A team of eight divers – including a number of officer trainees – from the Defence Diving School at Horsea Island, who were on exercise in the area, were called in to help after the alarm was raised by a number of fishermen working in the area who alerted the Coastguard. Divers worked in difficult conditions in Applecross Bay off the Sound of Raasay aided by direct contact with British Divers Marine Life Rescue representatives, who were able to offer advice on suitable release methods.

The whale was freed at 1.15pm this afternoon. Divers did observe that there was some damage to the whale’s 3.5m girth tail, where it had struggled to pull at the lines. However, the whale was able to swim away and was being monitored by a support vessel as it made its way out of the Sound of Raasay, towards more open water to the north and east of Skye Lieutenant Richard Watson, officer in charge of the diver training exercise, said: “We are really pleased with the results. The animal was really very distressed, but we were able to dive below it in order to cut the lines. “Our divers are trained to work in the most difficult conditions and we are all now feeling really good that there has been a positive outcome to this incident. “The whale is clearly tired, but we will be keeping an eye on it while it makes its way out of the sound.”

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue’s Tony Woodley said: “From the descriptions we have been given I think we can positively identify this animal as a young adult humpback whale. “The Royal Navy’s guys have done a marvellous job and we’re very grateful to them for all their work. “We were able to communicate remotely with the rescue vessel and offered as much assistance as possible. For our part we are delighted that the young whale has been able to swim free.”

Courtesy of the Royal Navy.