Has a Blue Whale Ever Hit a Cruise Ship?
The answer to this question is not an obvious one. While it is very unlikely that a blue whale would ever hit a cruise ship, it is possible. To understand the chances of such an event occurring, it is important to look at the facts surrounding blue whales and cruise ships.
Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, growing up to 30 meters (98 feet) in length and weighing up to 190 tonnes (209 US tons). They inhabit all of the world’s oceans and are often seen near shorelines.
Cruise ships, on the other hand, are huge vessels that carry thousands of passengers on long-distance journeys. These vessels measure hundreds of meters in length and can weigh up to 100 thousand tonnes (110 thousand US tons).
Given the size difference between whales and cruise ships, it is highly unlikely that a whale would ever collide with such a vessel. The chances are even lower considering that whales tend to avoid contact with humans and large vessels. In addition, cruise ships typically travel in well-defined routes which helps them avoid any potential collisions with sea life.
Despite this, there have been reports of whales being struck by cruise ships in recent years. In 2020, for example, a blue whale was killed after being struck by a Carnival Cruise Line vessel off the coast of California. Though rare, these incidents demonstrate that there is always some risk when large vessels traverse through whale habitats.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while it is highly unlikely that a blue whale would ever hit a cruise ship due to their size difference and avoidance behavior from sea creatures towards larger vessels; however it cannot be completely ruled out as there have been instances where this has occurred.