Goldbelt Transportation Crew Plays a Key Role in Humpback Whale Rescue

What began as a routine operation for Goldbelt Transportation ferrying workers to Kensington Mine, turned into a powerful example of environmental stewardship by the crew of the Goldbelt Seawolf. The crew spotted a young humpback entangled in a fishing boat’s gillnet near Sunshine Cove. Deckhand Brianna Pettie quickly contacted the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and NOAA’s Protected Resource Division in Juneau providing real-time updates on the whale’s location and sharing images of whale’s entanglement, freeing the fishing vessel’s crew tried to untangle the whale.  The Seawolf had to continue its scheduled operations, but the crew continued to relay updated information to the inbound response team from NOAA and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. 

Captain Kenneth DiMarzio later commended on Brianna’s quick thinking and professionalism saying, “She knew without hesitation exactly who to contact, what details would be most helpful, and how to assist. Her actions played a key role in supporting the Marine Mammal Entanglement team’s efforts.”

The whale was ultimately freed from the net, seemingly unharmed. In another act of stewardship, the Seawolf crew retrieved the loose netting from the water to prevent future entanglements or hazardous incidents. This event exemplified the values and dedication of Goldbelt Transportation employees to protect Alaska’s natural environment. NOAA and the Sanctuary team expressed their deep gratitude to Captain DiMarzio and Deckhands Brianna Pettie and Adrien Lee for their vital roles in ensuring the safe release of the humpback whale.