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Chasing Whales

In this episode – Chasing Whales with Cenergy . . .

Ahoy there, mates, and welcome back to On the Fly! Today, we set sail on a sunny adventure with the crew from Cenergy Power. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into Friday’s whale watching adventure in Dana Point, California!

We had a picture-perfect day, California day. The sun shone brightly, the ocean was calm and sparkling, and the temperature was a pleasant 69 degrees - perfect weather for a “three-hour tour” on the water. It was obvious, excitement filled the Cenergy Power team as they gather on the dock for their whale-watching adventure.

Yes, there were a few apprehensive team members. “I'm not a burly sailor, but seeing whales up close would be worth it! Here's hoping the seas stay calm.” as they chew their Meclizine Hydrochloride (“Bonnie brand” - raspberry-flavored motion sickness) tablets.

The captain welcomed everyone aboard and we set sail, he shared some fascinating facts about the local marine life. The first mate explained that Dana Point nicknamed the "Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®," its a haven for incredible sea creatures such as gray whales, blue whales, and playful dolphins. Through the onboard loudspeaker, the Captain came on, “Keep your eyes peeled, folks! We don’t rely on fish finders; we scan the horizon for birds that group in open water hovering near the whales. With the beautiful weather and calm seas, conditions are perfect for spotting some amazing animals today.”

The Cenergy team scatters around the boat in groups, sharing stories and laughter as they take in the magnificent California coastline. Time seemed to disappear. After a while the first mate shouted out “Look to the Starboard side at 1:00 o’clock watch for a grey patch on the surface of the water this is where a whale has surfaced and then submerged.”

Here are a few things to look for:

  • Spouts: A plume of water shooting up from the surface. This is the whale exhaling after a dive.
  • Breaches: We might get lucky to see a whale completely leap out of the water, landing with a spectacular splash.
  • Tails: Keep an eye out for the powerful tail, or the fluke of a whale, as it dives down or propels itself through the water.
  • Blows: Listen carefully for the distinctive sound of a whale exhaling, often described as a "blow" or a “puff.” During a blow, you will see a fine mist as it leaps into the air. 

About that time, folks from the upper deck shouted, “There - about 10 o’clock on the port side, there’s a whale.”

Suddenly, everyone turned to the port side as a hush fell over the group. A smooth and quiet emergence from the water reveals a flat grey patch where the whale breaks through the surface.

Comments from the crowd – “That’s it - I didn’t see a thing!”

The first mate says, Watch that calm grey patch of water within the waves that look flat.

We witnessed a massive tail emerging from the water and quickly plunging back into the ocean's depths.

After two and a half hours, the captain turned the boat, and we returned to shore. However, we were not finished yet! A sudden gasp was heard as a pod of dolphins was spotted playing nearby. Their sleek, shiny bodies shone in the bright sunlight as Smartphones appeared from everyone's pockets. People rushed around to capture this magical moment.

The captain skillfully maneuvered the catamaran to run alongside the dolphins, bringing the boat very close to them. It felt as if you could reach out and touch them. For those standing on the bow, they could look straight down and see the dolphins racing underwater beneath & beside the boat. What an incredible sight!

The energy on the boat was electric. Witnessing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat created a sense of wonder and connection, not just with nature but with each other.

The whale-watching trip was an unforgettable experience. It was a perfect blend of learning about marine life, team building, and enjoying the beautiful California weather.

A vivid reminder that occasionally, the most valuable lessons and connections are established beyond the confines of the workplace, with a bit of assistance from the marvels of nature and a dose of team spirit.

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

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