Washington state ferry hits, kills whale near Mukilteo

MUKILTEO, Wash. — A whale that was hit by a Washington state ferry near Mukilteo earlier this week has died, officials said.

The incident happened near the Mukilteo ferry dock.

On Monday afternoon, Washington State Ferries officials said two whales popped up on the starboard side of the Tokitae ferry and were both so close there was no time for the boat to stop.

Photos showed significant injuries to one of the whales, and biologists said there was little hope it would survive.

Washington State Ferries spokesman Ian Sterling told KIRO 7 that the crews did not see the whale and didn’t know the vessel hit it. The department said crews followed protocol, including slowing down in the area when they were reported. 

Cox Media Group