Dolphins and propellors?

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cliffdale

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Crossing the channel about 3 weeks ago we had a lovely pod of dolphins following and playing in the wake, (about 10 in all).
We slowed down a a little to let them follow us. The leaping out of the water was spectacular to watch.

I was concerned about catching one of the delightful creatures with one to the twin props.

Anyway, does anyone know if dolphins are intelligent enough to keep away from the props or are they likely to injur themselves?

Should we have stopped the boat to let the pod pass? What is the advice a dolphin expert would have us do in these situations?

Cliff
 
We've had dolphins follow us and spring up in front of us for ½ hour at a time. I'd say they're more than capable of staying away from props but when we've a group of people on board who're interested in them we slow down to 5 knots and they play all around the boat.

What's absolutely fascinating is swimming with "sociable" lone dolphins. Their power is unbelievable. One swish of their tail and although they'll never touch you the wash will really send you sideways through the water.
 
we've got swimming with the dolphins booked for next Easter in Florida. Its something I'm really looking forward to next year.

About 3 years ago, we had a lone dolphin swimming around the beaches near Fowey, Cornwall. It got very friendly with the bathers, especially at Porthpean. It stayed around 6 to 8 weeks then disappeared.

Cliff
 
dolphins are really intelligent, we went swimming with them in the keys in florida, they can swim at up to 45 mph can see 180 degrees, so i think they will be ok to miss them
 
If the village idiot swans on the Thames can avoid both the hire boats and my "L" driver swerving, then Mensa rated dolphins shouldn't be in any danger. But what a gracious and compasionate question, I will raise a glass to you this very evening, in fact I'm off to do it right now.
 
We see plenty of dolphins in Florida, but few with prop cuts or fin damage. It's only the slow-moving manatees which sustain a lot of cuts - some fatal.
 
Dolphins in the wild don't appear to suffer much prop damage, but dolphins which have become habituated to tour boats and people swimming with them appear to show more signs of prop damage.

For instance, I've been swimming with Funghi the dolphin in Ireland, and he loves propellors. One of the ways they attract him to the shore for morning swims is by running an outboard engine from a rib or tender. I've been underwater and seen him 'spinning' in the prop wash - bit like a dolphin jacuzzi I guess, and he has several prop injury scars.
 
We have had dolphins around the boat on many, many occasions and although it looks impossible that they could miss the prop when they shoot under the boat, they always do!

Incidentally, we have found that often the faster we go the longer these beautiful animals stay around. This is especially true when sailing rather than motoring, as apparently they like to ride the bow pressure wave. For some reason they aren't so keen when the motor's running.

So no, as others have rightly pointed out, these are extremely intelligent creatures, in their own element, and well used to boats and their appendages, and are therefore highly unlikely to be hit.

Cheers Jerry
 
First Contact ?

I hope they are clever enough to figure out that "first contact" with an IPS drive could have unfortunate results. Maybe if they see what happens to slower/less smart fish, word will spread around...
 
Re: First Contact ?

I've seen dolphins alongside on many ocassions in Tremadog Bay North Wales and they seem pretty adept at avoiding the prop. However I did observe a large scar on the back of one particular dolphin last year and whilst it's not certain it was caused by a prop I would suggest the possibility.

Best just be cautious around them!
 
I'd agree with that.

We saw this fella in Weymouth marina a couple of years ago. He had all sorts of scars on him and was definately attracted to props. I think he had even lost an eye.

Georges
 
Yes, remember seeing him there, delighting the tourists in the harbour with his antics. Kids on the boats were going potty with delight, as were many adults
 
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