'Awesome' experience for ferry passengers as killer whales appear on first day of Orca Watch
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An Orca Watch volunteer has told of her "totally amazing" experience on the first day of this year's event – when she was among those who had close-up views of two killer whales in the Pentland Firth.
Hazel Masson was on the Pentland Venture, operated by John O'Groats Ferries, when the encounter happened on Saturday afternoon.
Two bull orcas appeared, and they were later identified using the Scottish Killer Whale Photo Identification Catalogue as Ulfer and Trinkie.
"Everyone was so excited and it was so wonderful seeing them in their natural environment, swimming wild and free," said Hazel, who had travelled from North Shields to be a volunteer at Sea Watch Foundation’s 10th anniversary Orca Watch.
"The ferry was so respectful, stopping when they were spotted and allowing the animals to come to us.
"It was awesome to see Ulfer so close to us and dive down and go under the front of the boat. It was totally amazing."
Ulfer is part of a pod known as the 164s. Trinkie was part of the 19s, although he and Ulfer have been spotted together in the past few weeks.
Hazel explained that she had met up with friends from various parts of the UK for Orca Watch – the third she has attended.
"My first one was in 2019 and I had an amazing experience," she said. "I knew I had to come back but sadly due to Covid that wasn't until 2021.
"This year I am volunteering as an official watcher with Sea Watch Foundation, which I'm very excited about."
She added: "Up until I found out about Orca Watch I didn't realise that we had orcas in British waters and had previously travelled all the way to Canada to see them."
Fred Fermor, of John O’Groats Ferries, said: "I think I speak for everyone here when I say how delighted we were that orcas were spotted this year from the Pentland Venture on the very first day of Orca Watch.
"It’s an ambition of many to see these magnificent animals in the wild and we were very pleased to be able to play our part in fulfilling those dreams for some.
"We first heard about the two male orcas making their way up the coast from a fishing boat off Sarclet and eagle-eyed observers like Karen Munro and Steve Truluck and others tracked their progress along the coast.
"We’re very happy to support Orca Watch each year with cheap trips on the boat to give folk a chance of seeing them. We’re also giving cheaper fares on our cruises all this week and running them twice a day, at 11am and 2.30pm.
"We’re encouraging folk to book online to make sure of their place on board. Let’s hope we see a few more orcas as the week progresses – when it happens the reward is special. It’s great for Caithness."
Orca Watch 2022 runs until this Sunday, using the library at the John O’Groats Inn as its base.
The aim is to collect as much data as possible on whales, dolphins and porpoises in the waters around Caithness and north Sutherland as well as Orkney and Shetland, with everyone encouraged to join in land watches, boat trips and talks.
Sea Watch Foundation encourages everyone to contribute data, whether during Orca Watch or throughout the rest of the year. Sightings can be submitted to www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform
The national marine environmental charity has partnered with a number of other businesses and organisations including John O’Groats Development Trust, Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council, Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative, NatureScot, Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, High Life Highland, the Cabin at John O’Groats, Together Travel, Seaview Hotel, Windhaven Camping and B&B, the Northern Sands Hotel, the Crofter’s Snug, Highland Haven and Pentland Lodge House.
Orca Watch began in 2012. It was founded by Colin Bird, a former regional coordinator at Sea Watch Foundation.
After being cancelled in 2020 because of Covid, Orca Watch went ahead in a limited way in 2021 with a small group gathering data which was shared in a series of online presentations.
