Jet Ski Slams Into Grey Whale Near Vancouver Beach, Video Shows

On Monday, a jet ski collided with a grey whale just off a Vancouver beach, an incident captured on video that has drawn widespread attention. The clip shows the watercraft striking the surfacing animal in shallow water near the shoreline, where the whale had reportedly been feeding close to shore.

It was not immediately clear from the footage whether the whale or the rider was injured. However, the episode has sparked fresh concern about the risks high-speed recreational vessels pose to marine mammals that frequent coastal waters. Collisions can injure or disorient whales and also endanger operators, particularly in busy nearshore areas where animals surface unpredictably.

Grey whales regularly migrate along the Pacific coast and are known to forage in shallow bays and near beaches, occasionally bringing them into close proximity with people. Marine safety guidance generally urges boaters and personal watercraft users to slow down, keep a wide berth, and avoid approaching or pursuing wildlife whenever animals are present. Authorities and advocacy groups have long stressed that giving marine mammals space is essential for both animal welfare and public safety as coastal waters see increased recreational use.