Whale found on cruise ship bow in Alaska for second time since June

A dead fin whale was found on the bow of a cruise ship in Sitka, Alaska, marking the second similar incident in recent months. NOAA Fisheries said in an emailed statement that its Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network team was responding to assess the situation and determine next steps. The agency was notified on Sept. 17, but it had not released additional details and did not name the vessel involved. Earlier, a Royal Caribbean Group cruise ship arrived in Seward in June with a dead fin whale on its bow. A preliminary necropsy reported blunt force trauma to the jaw, spine, and ribs consistent with a vessel strike.