While Mitchell's remarks underscore the importance of Bob Otis' studies on San Juan Island, she is quick to emphasize the significance of the existing 100-yard approach guideline. That's why we try to encourage private citizens to report the name and I.D. number of any violator's vessel. With the amount of marine traffic found in the inland waterways off Washington and British Columbia, orca-boat interactions are frequent and inevitable. While unintentional violations of the proximity regulations are unavoidable, it is the intentional harassment that concerns researchers and other whale enthusiasts the most. Both Otis and Bennett frequently witness boaters deliberately violating the proximity restrictions.
People seem to think that whales are always alert and capable of dodging approaching boats.
And like the others, Buzz Shaw agrees. Shaw once watched a J-pod orca accidentally collide with a log during a rest session. I watched this whale swim right into a floating dead-head. It didn't seem to hurt her, but certainly makes me question whether or not they're totally aware of what's around them at all times. Shaw also recounts an incident where a local researcher in an inflatable vessel drifted over a resting orca, which promptly surfaced underneath the zodiac.