pilot whaleThe captain and crew walked across the parking lot and jumped aboard. There were a few ominous clicks, silence, more clicks, muttering, more clicks. After about 15 minutes the captain surfaced to advise that because of the weather, the boat had not been out for several days. The bilge pump had apparently run his battery down while keeping the boat from filling with rainwater. This is a real problem in a town with neither stores nor garage within an hour drive. Ah, but he would go and get his replacement battery.

Both crewmen made their way across the parking lot and the Buick left in a cloud of gravel. After several more minutes they were back still running at full speed, locked brakes and stopped almost a full foot short of the edge of the dock. It seemed the spare battery had been lent to another boat! But they had a battery charger.

They hooked up the charger, plugged it in to a shore terminal and waited. And waited.

A lot of minutes later the captain emerged to advise that there seemed to be a problem with the charger. He would have to go and get battery packs. Again the gravel flew!

Several minutes later back came the Buick, this time stopping a more discreet 2 to 3 feet from the brink. The captain emerged with two packs, either one of which would probably have started a motorcycle – but not a 350 John Deere. Each turned the motor over 2 to 3 times . . . v e r y s l o w l y. No joy!

Then someone had a brainwave. They would take the battery out of the shore manager’s Chevy and we would be away. Hot diggidy! Several minutes later they determined that none of their wrenches fit the clamp securing the battery to the Chevy. Again, no joy! For some reason, no one ever suggested taking the battery out of the Buick. Again a cloud of gravel!

After each setback, we had discussed giving up, getting our forty bucks back and trying again farther south. Each time we decided to wait for the next attempt as we REALLY WANTED TO SEE A WHALE. And that was guaranteed! Now we were advised that since it was already 10:45, there would be no time for our trip. We would have to wait for the 11:30 tour – but we would not be charged the extra $10 that tour normally cost. Big Whoop! But we decided to stick it out.

After several more minutes the Buick again sped up. This time the captain got out carrying a battery which he must have robbed from a VW bug. He optimistically carried it on board and into the engine room… and, wonder of wonders, within two minutes the old John Deere was purring like a tom cat. The eight of us hustled aboard and grabbed seats on the main deck.

As 11:30 approached, more and more passengers arrived. Finally, there were no more seats available and still people came. The guide came aboard and said that, because of the crowd, we original eight would be allowed to ride on the top deck. I thought this was somewhat of a mixed bag as, even though the sun was shining, the wind would still freeze spit. All the life jackets were on the ceiling of the lower deck and it would be a lot rougher up top. But Beth said “Great!” so up we went.

GOOD DECISION! The guide gave us rain ponchos which completely beat the wind and we had full, unobstructed 360 degree vision. Life jackets? No problem because … we didn’t sink. And rough seas, sea sickness? Don’t know, who thinks about a little rocking when they are looking for whales?

Finally, at 11:35, another car pulled up and a young lady sprinted to the boat. She had been roused from home at the last minute as they now had a two-deck crowd. We eight on the top deck had our own guide plus the captain, who moved to the topside controls once we were in whaley waters.

By 11:40 WE WERE OFF! On the way out we were treated to great views of Northern Gannets, but Beth and I were the only ones interested. We also saw several Grey Seals, which piqued everyone’s interest.

About a half hour out someone saw a water spout in the distance and off we went, full throttle. We were almost there when a Fin Whale surfaced dead ahead at about 200 yards. Wow! I realize that they are only the second largest mammal on the planet but it sure takes a long time for eighty feet of whale to go by. We followed along and pretty soon got a second look at him, at a distance of about 150 yards. Thank goodness for my Ultravid 8 x 42s.

Presently, a spout was sighted about a mile to the south and we were off again. We got there and “played the waiting game.” After a couple of misses, we got a look at this second Fin at a distance of about 100 yards.

We next headed toward a spout a half mile or so east, toward shore, but before we got there someone spotted something back to the north so we veered and were off again at full throttle. Once more, before we got all the way there, a whale surfaced; this a Minke, about 150 yards out. We cut engines and sat dead in the water, waiting. Suddenly, a Minke surfaced and blew, only 50 feet portside after having passed under the boat. Since Minkes don’t blow the big spout of water that Fins do, we didn’t get wet, but the noise sure raised everyone’s heart rate.

We travelled along at normal speed for fifteen minutes or so, and got decent looks at a couple more Minkes. We then headed north, presumably en route home, so Beth and I sat down to catch our breath. Suddenly, a couple of hundred yards portside, another huge Fin surfaced. Beth and I were the only ones to see it, but again it was a thrill.

All of a sudden we were among a school of Pilot Whales. They are large members of the dolphin family and play like dolphins. A line of five or more broke off and disappeared but ten stayed to entertain. They surfaced in unison, in sequence and in random. We cut through, around and in front of them. I thought we might be stressing them unduly but they did not seem very bothered and continued to play even as we were leaving.

We broke off and headed for port, arriving at 2:00 PM. We were out for more than 2 ¼ hours! The 1:30 trip had been rescheduled for 1:45, so if they refueled and loaded in 15 minutes, they would only be a half hour late! But I hope they enjoyed the same success that we did.

What a trip! We saw between 20 and 25 whales of three different species – many at a distance of less than 50 yards.

As a bonus, we were awarded 10% off coupons at the restaurant where we bought our tickets. We enjoyed seafood wraps with two of our new friends there before heading south to the mainland and ultimately home.

We highly recommend Wesley! (But bring your own battery.)

Added note: Good old Westjet Air got all of Beth’s stones and driftwood home at no extra cost.

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