Whale in Vancouver Sea-Doo crash seen feeding, in good condition, next day: officials

VANCOUVER — Canada’s Fisheries Department says a grey whale that was hit at high speed by a Sea-Doo in front of a horrified Vancouver crowd on Monday appeared in “good condition” the next day.

The Fisheries Department says in an update that while assessing whale health can be difficult, the animal was seen feeding and “moving normally” on Tuesday before officials lost track of it as it swam out of English Bay, “making deeper dives along the way.”

The whale was struck by the watercraft on Monday evening in the waters near Siwash Rock off Stanley Park, sending the vessel airborne in a scene captured on video.

Vancouver police say they are helping the federal investigation into the collision, which badly injured the rider.

They say the Fisheries Department has jurisdiction in the case but police “identified and spoke to the operator and multiple witnesses” after receiving calls about the collision.

The operator of the watercraft was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Vancouver police said they were unable to confirm any injuries to the whale, while Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue said Tuesday that the animal’s fate was unclear, although it was seen surfacing again soon after the collision.

The whale had been feeding in Vancouver waters in the past week, drawing crowds of onlookers, and the crash prompted authorities to remind vessels to stay at least 100 metres away from all whale species.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2026.