A whale breaching or feeding is a thrilling sight for those at sea, but it also poses a serious risk. All sizes and types of vessels—from jet skis to large boats—have the potential to collide with a whale, which may result in injuries or costly repairs.
A free online course—offered through the See a Spout? Watch Out! program—has been helping ocean users in New England and the Mid-Atlantic safely view and navigate around whales since 2022. Now, the course is expanding to include versions for the West Coast and Hawaiʻi.
The 30-minute “Spout Spotters” course is designed for boaters, fishermen, sailors, paddlers, or anyone who spends time in the ocean and wants to learn about whales. It shares helpful tips about maneuvering around whales to ensure time spent in their presence is a positive experience, and to equip ocean users with ways to avoid dangerous situations. As part of the expansion, See a Spout designed new versions of the course tailored to each region. The courses highlight local whale species and their behaviors, viewing best practices and regulations, and resources.
“Boaters along all of our coastlines have the potential to encounter whales, making the need to learn how to safely share the water with whales relevant nationwide,” said Alicia Schuler, See a Spout? Watch Out! program coordinator for the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office.
See A Spout is sponsored and run by NOAA Fisheries, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and several partners. In addition to the boater safety course, the program raises awareness through presentations at yacht clubs, boating centers, and schools.
Course Benefits
See A Spout’s course is designed to help boaters remember safe operational procedures and whale watching guidelines. This knowledge allows for safer boating and wildlife viewing experiences while respecting federal whale protection laws.
Topics covered in the course include:
- Why safe whale watching practices matter
- Identifying whales and understanding their behaviors
- On-the-water scenarios
- Guidelines and regulations for viewing whales
- Vessel-specific best practices
- How to report a whale in distress
A National Partnership
The See a Spout program began in 2000 as a partnership between NOAA Fisheries, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization. The partnership has since expanded to include:
- Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
- New Bedford Whaling Museum
- The Marine Mammal Center
- Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area
