Can a Blue Whale Knock Over a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

A blue whale is the largest animal living on Earth and can grow up to an enormous size of 33 meters. It is no surprise that people often ask the question: “Can a blue whale knock over a cruise ship?”

It is an interesting question, and one that requires further investigation. To answer this question, it is important to first understand the relative size of a cruise ship compared to a blue whale.

Cruise ships usually measure around 300 meters in length and can weigh up to 100,000 tons. In comparison, blue whales are much smaller, measuring just 33 meters in length and weighing around 150 tons.

Given their huge size difference, it seems highly unlikely that a blue whale would be able to knock over a cruise ship. Even if the whale was to use its tail fluke or head as leverage, it would still not have enough force to move such a large object. In addition to this, the body of a blue whale is too slender for it to gain enough force when pushing against something as large as a cruise ship.

Despite all of this, it is important to remember that blue whales are incredibly strong animals and have been known to cause damage when they collide with vessels in the ocean. For example, in 2015 a blue whale collided with an offshore supply vessel off the coast of California causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is highly unlikely that a blue whale could knock over a cruise ship due to their huge size difference and lack of force generated by their body structure. However, they can still cause considerable damage when they collide with vessels at sea so caution should always be taken when travelling in areas where these animals are known to inhabit.