Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

THE "WHALE WATCHER"

The Whale Watcher is an all aluminum mono hull vessel that was designed specifically for whale watching. She is the only vessel of her kind in this area to introduce whale friendly water jet propulsion. This feature enables the Whale Watcher to swiftly soar through the water using its very force instead of potentially dangerous propellers. The vessel has state-of-the art navigational technology and multiple communication systems.

For your comfort and optimum viewing, the Whale Watcher has two climate controlled interior cabins with cushioned seating and three exterior viewing decks. Located in the main cabin, the Galley offers a variety of hot & cold entrees, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The vessel is fully licensed and inspected by the United States Coast Guard. Captains and crew follow all Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service safety and whale watching guidelines. A safety orientation is included in every on-board program.

*Capacity*			*Dimensions*
	Passengers	392		Length on Deck	130' (w/ pulpit)
	Fuel	5,800 gallons		Breadth	28'
	Water	500 gallons		Depth @ Midship	11.5'
	Holding	500 gallons		Draft	5'

*Performance*
	Speed	38 knots / 42 mph
	Main Engines	5 x DDC/MTU 16V2000
	Rating	1,285 bhp @ 2100rpm
	Gears	5 x Twin Disc 6619SC
	Waterjets	5 x Hamilton HM-571
	Generators	2 x Detroit Diesel, 40 kw

THE HWWC CREW

Jon - Naturalist
Jon Brink first encountered whales at the age of 18 when he attended a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester in Baja, Mexico. While doing his undergraduate work at the University of Maine, Orono in Wildlife Ecology, Jon began whale watching during the summers.

This experience combined his love of teaching and biology. He has worked in environmental education for over 15 years in a variety of locations including New England, California, Arkansas, Trinidad & Tobego and, most recently, Peru. In his spare time, Jon loves to fish, kayak, birdwatch and rock climb. Generally, he just loves to be outside.

Mary - Naturalist
Mary Loebig is entering her 12th season with HWWC. During the off-season, she is a biology and math teacher at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, a position she has held for thirteen years.

Mary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She also holds a degree in education, is certified in secondary Biology and General Science, worked as a naturalist/educator for the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, and spent six years as a volunteer member of the Dennis Conservation Commission. Mary is also a bass player and vocalist for a local band, all of which keeps her very busy!

Katelin-Naturalist
Katelin Collings is in her third season as a whale watch naturalist, but this is her first with HWWC. Proud to be a native Cape Codder, Katelin attended Town of Barnstable schools and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, majoring in Biology and Marine Science. Katelin"s scientific research has included a study conducted on male fiddler crabs and burrow dominance, and a senior thesis which focused on swim speeds of bottlenose dolphins in relation to water flow in a salt marsh-estuarine creek system.

Prior to joining the HWWC crew, Katelin has worked as a Wildlife Specialist and Marine Mammal Trainer at ZooQuarium in West Yarmouth, as well as a Veterinarian Technician at Barnstable Animal Hospital.

When she"s not on the boat Katelin loves spending time at the National Seashore in Wellfleet, reading, scuba diving, and traveling. She recently returned home from living abroad for 17 months in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

More cruise info: Whale News

Whale Watch Fact

Northern right whales are the most endangered large whales in the world. About 300 are known to live in waters off the U.S. and Canadian eastern coasts during much of the year. There are about as many males as females, with females holding a slight edge.

Image Gallery

View our collection of marine wildlife images and videos.

Directions

From on-cape or off, Barnstable Harbor is easy to find.



	Cape Cod's Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is a proud supporter of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the world's most active charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises. For more information visit the WDCS website.



	Cape Cod's Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is a proud supporter of International Fund for Animal Welfare in their worldwide conservation efforts. Together we will work to educate and encourage environmental awareness on a global scale. For more information visit the IFAW website.



	Whale SENSE is a voluntary education and recognition program offered to commercial whale watching companies (Maine through Virginia) by NOAA's Fisheries Service, NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. The program was developed in collaboration with the Northeast whale watching community. Whale SENSE is a collaborative, voluntary program recognizing commercial whale watching companies committed to a higher standard of whale watching.