A dead whale has been found on the bow of a Princess Cruises-owned vessel entering an Alaskan port.
The 107,517-gt Grand Princess (built 1998) pulled into Ketchikan with the marine mammal stuck on its submerged bulbous bow.
Spokesman Brian O’Connor told the Associated Press: “It is unknown how or when this happened as the ship felt no impact.
“It is also unknown, at this time, whether the whale was alive or already deceased before becoming lodged on the bow.”
He added that Princes Cruises was surprised and saddened to discover the whale.
Local media reported that the whale was about 20 feet long and photos indicated it might be a juvenile.
O’Connor said the cruise line has a comprehensive whale avoidance programme with guidelines on how to operate after spotting whales and reduce speed to avoid them.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating the incident.
Another whale was carried on the bow of a Holland America cruiseship in May 2016.
