A cruise ship entered New York City harbor with a 44-foot-tall whale carcass hanging across its bow, maritime authorities said.
The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was captured on the bow of the ship as it arrived in Brooklyn Harbor on Saturday, said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokeswoman Andrea Gomez.
An MSC Cruises spokesperson said the whale was on board the MSC Meraviglia, which docked in Brooklyn before heading to ports in New England and Canada.
Cruise line officials said in a statement: “We immediately notified the appropriate authorities and are currently conducting an examination of the whale.”
Officials said they were “deeply saddened by the loss of marine life” and that Geneva-based MSC Cruises was taking steps to protect the whales, including altering itineraries in certain areas to avoid collisions with whales. It added that it complies with all regulations to do so.
Gomez said the dead whale was transported to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to the coast there for easier access to equipment and a necropsy.
A necropsy on the animal was performed on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples taken from the whale will help biologists determine whether the whale was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.
Sei whales are typically observed in deep water, far from coastlines, Gomez said. Whales are one of the largest species and are internationally protected.
