The Azorean Whaler's Heritage

 

24 years after the capture of the last whale in S. Miguel the boats are once again in the sea. They follow straight to the cetaceans: sperm whales and dolphins. The course is sure like in the old times thanks to the information given by the “vigias”, wise men in the matter of scanning the horizon looking for whales. They give the alert: - baleia à vista, baleia à vista! The sign animates the crew, the new whalers, pacifists as you. The enthusiasm is the same as in the past, but this time, the instinct and the aim to find the whales is different: they just want to see and admire those sea giants or know something more about their behavior and have some happy and funny moments with the playful dolphins.
This is a true adventure offered by Futurismo. Come a board with us!

 

 

How to find the whales

 

Early in the morning, Alfredo-the whaler- takes is place in one of our Vigias. He puts his binoculars on the support and turns on the VHF radio. A quick look to the horizon tells him where to start searching for the cetaceans. A lifetime experience as a “vigia” simplifies his movements. - Today is a good day to see a whale, the sea is calm, there is no fog- says Alfredo, in a first contact by is VHF. With patience, a lot of patience, he looks for a blow of white water, he searches for any sign of a sperm whale. He wants to find the whales before the boat leaves the harbor - a Zodiac of 22 feet equipped with an 100 HP outboard.

At the sight of a whale he immediately alerts the “MIRONE” Skipper, who has already informed the passengers about what they are going to observe. Once “whaling”, the Skipper knows for sure the course, because he is guided by the “vigia”. With this traditional system of finding whales and dolphins we can achieve a better observation, but we also use a hydrophone as a way of detection of the cetaceans.