Two attempts to rescue whales trapped in the Gareloch failed today – despite the mammals being herded as far as Rhu Spit.
The three Northern Bottlenose Whales are seldom seen this close to the shore, usually being found in the deep waters of the north Atlantic.
They have drawn crowds of onlookers to the Gareloch for the past week, but concerns have been mounting that the whales have become ‘lost’ and need to reach deeper water.
Led by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) volunteers, today’s operation was undertaken by a flotilla of eight small boats.
Forming an arc, the boats tried to drive the whales down the loch towards Rhu Spit, which acts as a natural pinch-point at the mouth of the loch.
The Faslane naval base was known as Gateway 1 during the operation and Rhu Spit as Gateway 2 – it was thought to be the most difficult barrier because of the way the channel narrows.
The first run of the day at lunchtime seemed to be a success, with the boats slowly driving the whales towards the narrows, making clanging noises on approach – a tradiitonal whaling trick used to herd the animals – but shortly before the spit, the animals peeled off and returned to Garelochhead.
A further attempt, again brought the pod of three to the same spot at 4pm, but failed to drive them through.
On both occasions, there was confirmation that the mammals were ahead of the boats on approach to the narrows, which raised spirits among volunteers and the crowds which had gathered to watch – some who had travelled from as far afield as Perthshire.
Narine mammal medic Vari Edwards of BDMLR said: “It’s beautiful to see them, but they just shouldn’t be there. One of them looks extremely thin.
“The team of volunteers is from all over Scotland and we hope to make further attempts tomorrow.”
The situation is complicated by military vessels due to arrive at Faslane for Joint Warrior, a major international exercise which will take place for the next two weeks off Scotland’s west coast.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Although the whales are in the dockyard area, BDMLR has the lead on the operation and we are working in support.
“Several vessels from Clyde Marine Unit have been involved, as has the Queen’s Harbourmaster to coordinate vessel movements.
“Exercise Joint Warrior participants have been made aware of the presence of the whales and a notice to mariners has been issued.”
If you trail a net full of fish leaking some into the water behind a trawler the whales will follow. If you try to round up like sheepguess what happens!
Get real a do it properly.