Catamarans Aid in Killer Whale's
Rescue and Reintroduction

by Leslie Jaquette

     From January into June, Northwest boaters motored slowly and with great concern around a juvenile killer whale, who made her home around the Vashon Island Ferry landing in Washington’s Puget Sound. Nicknamed Springer, the 1,240-pound marine mammal was identified as an orphaned orca (A73), who for unknown reasons had become separated from her whale family, a pod that frequents the waters of Northern British Columbia.
    Ultimately, two very different sorts of catamarans played a dramatic role in Springer’s rescue and reintroduction to the wild. One was a 26-foot Glacier Bay Catamaran, manufactured in Monroe, Washington. The other was a 144-foot, high-speed catamaran built by Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders, Inc. of Freeland, Washington. Both would contribute substantially to what Glacier Bay owner Bob McLaughlin would call “a miracle.”
    From the start, McLaughlin’s 2690 Coastal Runner played a significant part as the sturdy, all-weather platform from which the orca’s behavior was chronicled. Glacier Bay West Coast District Sales Manager, marine radio personality and principal of SeaWolf Adventure Media Productions, McLaughlin used his 2690 as a base from which to film, photograph and observe Springer. McLaughlin is also a board member of the non-profit environmental advocacy organization, Project SeaWolf. Many of the scientists’ decisions about Springer’s health, recovery and reintroduction into Canadian waters were formulated as a result of McLaughlin’s work.
Later, when Springer had regained her health, Nichols Brothers donated the use of its high-speed vessel, the Catalina Jet. It was used to transport Springer from Puget Sound to the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Once again, the smooth-ride integral to catamaran design, enabled the female killer whale to be reintroduced to the wild with a minimum of stress.

SPRINGER’S STORY
    During Springer’s six-month sojourn in Puget Sound, most of the film footage Americans watched on the nightly news came from camera work shot by McLaughlin and his partner at SeaWolf, Bob Wood. Through the worst of the winter, they often observed Springer from the comfort of Wood’s 44-foot Hinkley. However, a good portion of the Springer footage resulted from as many as five to six days a week of filming from the 2690.
    Equipped with the latest electronics, McLaughlin said that the SeaWolf team observed over time that the sick orca was gradually reducing her range. Using a Raytheon Chart plotter, they were able to mark Springer’s waypoints to determine where she was moving. Interestingly, as the months went by, her range dropped from three square miles to one square mile.
    Beyond this sort of information garnered on the Hinckley and the Glacier Bay, the SeaWolf team made other crucial observations. They chronicled Springer’s lethargy and un-orca-like behavior. While McLaughlin and his team tried not to let her interact with the 2690, the young orca; nonetheless, continued to rub against boats (presumably due to her itchy skin) when she got the chance.
    Springer also developed a habit of sleeping snuggled up against the Evergreen State Ferry when it was berthed at the Vashon Island Ferry Dock. Reportedly, various people, including ferry workers, became quite fond of the 12-foot-long killer whale and would sometimes throw her salmon.
    “Not all the ferry captains were sympathetic to Springer,” added McLaughlin. “Some of the ferries would head straight for her. There were lots of near misses.”
    On a more positive note, McLaughlin recalled that last spring, a new Glacier Bay dealer, Steve Waltz of I-90 Marine Center in Issaquah, Washington, used the 2690 to take a family out on a demo ride on Puget Sound. Curious to spot Springer, they headed over toward the Vashon Island.
    Sure enough, Springer recognized McLaughlin’s Glacier Bay and proceeded to come near the boat and to “spy-hop” (jump straight up out of the water) to get a better view of those on board. Naturally, the customers were impressed with the power cat’s performance and soon purchased a 2670.
    For months McLaughlin, Wood and an army of researchers observed Springer. Not only had they watched her suffer from an itchy skin condition called “whalepox,” she appeared to have an eating disorder and ketosis, or bad breath.
    Finally, in mid-June a group of researchers captured Springer and moved her to a holding pen at a research facility in Manchester, Kitsap County. For the next month, until her reintroduction to her pod, Springer began eating between 15 and 30 kg of salmon per day. Her skin and breath improved and researchers determined she had no communicable diseases that would inhibit her reintroduction. Still, one big problem remained. How to transport Springer north into deepest, darkest B.C?

144' CATAMARAN TRANSPORTS SPRINGER IN STYLE
    As Springer’s rehabilitation neared completion, Nichols Brothers stepped up to the plate. When McLaughlin contacted President Matt Nichols, the well-known catamaran manufacturer immediately offered the services of his 144-foot, high-speed catamaran, the Catalina Jet.
    In less than 4 minutes McLaughlin described the issue to Nichols, “We’ve got a problem,” said McLaughlin. “We need a fast boat, a smooth-running, quiet boat to transport Springer. Do you have any customers that might be able to help?”
    Nichols laughed as he recalled the conversation, noting that it didn’t take long for “the lights to come on.” He immediately offered the use of Nichols Bros. big, high-speed catamaran that was at the time sitting at the dock, needing to be sold and run!
    The two Northwest marine veterans put the deal together and somehow managed to dodge both U.S. and Canadian bureaucracies to make the trip happen. For starters, Nichols Bros. removed all the outdoor seating aft and installed a 5’ by 14’ tank.
    Then, on July 13 Springer was gently lifted into the tank. Nichols observed that the sling support seemed to relax the orca. The entire, 410-mile trip from Manchester, Wash., to Hansen Island on the northern tip of Vancouver Island took about 11 hours. Nichols noted that the big cat, powered by a total of 8,000 hp (four jets, 2,000 hp each), roared north at 35 knots.
    “It offered the quietest, smoothest ride we could have found for this little girl!” said Nichols of the trip. “When we arrived out of nowhere at this tiny, remote cove, it was if a spaceship had landed, the contrast was so incredible!”
    By the way, observed Nichols, who added that his grandchildren wouldn’t forget this trip, En route the team decided to make an unplanned stop in Campbell River, B.C. While the day started out gray and cool, later the sun started heating up Springer’s tank. In Campbell River, the team not only bought 100 bags of ice to cool her water, but Nichols purchased 2,500 gallons of fuel.
    “Running flat-out at 400 gallons per hour, we decided it would be a good idea to top off the tanks,” said Nichols. “We also ordered 21 pizzas and the whole town came out to see us!”
    Two days later, Springer was in such good shape, she was released from a netted-off area to interact with her pod near Malcolm Island and Robson Bight. In the ensuing two months, scientists have watched Springer become increasingly assimilated into the whale family group. At different times she has “hungout” with relatives including an older, orphaned female known as Nodales (A51) and her grandmother Kelsey (A24).
    This kind of close contact is very reassuring, said McLaughlin. However, the acid test will come next spring, he noted, “When the killer whales return from Alaska to Johnstone Strait.”

MCLAUGHLIN CHOOSES GLACIER BAY
    McLaughlin, who broadcasts marine reports every Friday afternoon for Seattle radio station KIRO, continues to be thoroughly pleased with the performance of his Glacier Bay power catamaran. He explained that about six years ago, he was working with Jean-Michelle Cousteau on a project filming orcas in the San Juan Islands. The team used three boats: a 32-foot SeaSport, 20-foot StabiCraft and a 22-foot Glacier Bay cat.
    McLaughlin was so impressed with the 22-footer, that he swore when it came time for him to buy a new boat, it would be a Glacier Bay, “The ride on the Glacier Bay was so incredible, that everyone preferred it for filming.”
    Soon after, McLaughlin ordered a 2690 Coastal Runner. As his knowledge of the company and his friendship with Glacier Bay President and founder Larry Graf developed, McLaughlin decided to take on the responsibility as Glacier Bay’s West Coast District Sales Manager.
    Perfect for the Northwest’s volatile weather, the heavy-duty hardtop vessel features a full aluminum and tempered glass cabin enclosure and watertight, locking cabin door. The aft deck is roomy enough for SeaWolf documentary filmwork or fishing for salmon. The galley contains an Orego alcohol stove with cutting board, deep stainless steel sink, 22 gallons of fresh water and lots of hanging locker space for coats and gear.

THE SPRINGER MIRACLE
    Taken together, the two very different catamarans, the 26-foot Glacier Bay and the 144' Nichols Bros. high-speed cat, helped rescue and reintroduce Springer to her family group of orcas. Due to their quick, smooth-riding capabilities, both vessels were able to significantly affect the Springer scenario.
    McLaughlin said the Springer encounter has been an enriching experience for him and research scientists. Her “odd” but not unprecedented behavior, provides very useful insights into marine mammal behavior.
    “Still, it was an unusual situation and what we learned helps scientists and wildlife managers to make better decisions,” said McLaughlin. “With increased knowledge we were able to capture Springer, develop a managed plan, help her get well and, ultimately, return her to her family group. It also just feels good to be involved. Overall, the Springer situation was an amazing, if not miraculous opportunity.”

For more information:
Glacier Bay Catamarans:
17341 Tye St. SE, Monroe, WA 98272 Tel:(360) 794-0444 Fax: (360) 794-6674; or visit the web site at: www.glacierbaycats.com.
Project SeaWolf:
P.O. Box 929, Marysville, WA 98270 Tel: (360) 653-4780; or visit the web site at: www.projectseawolf.com.
Vancouver Aquarium:
Marine Mammal Rescue & Rehabilitation – Tel: (604) 659-3472; or visit the web site at:www.vanaqua.org.