Seward Public Radio

06/21/2026

NOAA still investigating cruise ship whale strike

Technicians and scientists from the Alaska SeaLife Center and NOAA continue to investigate the cause of death for a 61-foot female Fin Whale.

NOAA still investigating cruise ship whale strike

Technicians and scientists from the Alaska SeaLife Center and NOAA continue seeking the cause of death for a 61-foot female Fin Whale.

The smaller whale was snagged by the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas cruise liner on Friday morning, apparently while the ship was sailing Resurrection Bay before docking at Seward.

The body was towed to a small protected lagoon at Lowell Point Friday evening for a necropsy, which basically means an autopsy.

A Saturday informal holding statement by NOAA says that no determination has been made and the investigation continues.

Late Saturday afternoon discussion by the investigation leadership centered on activities through Monday, with no likelihood that the question of any liability will be answered before then.

Video (carcass walkaround):

youtube.com/watch?v=CJOAvdCZm3Y

Pictured: NOAA personnel discuss the ongoing investigation with samples taken from the dead whale in foreground.

06/20/2026

Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival

The 47th Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival kicks off at noon tomorrow, Saturday.

06/19/2026

Cruise ship strikes whale sailing into Seward

The 4900 passenger Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas sailed into Resurrection Bay Friday morning, snagging a whale along the way.

Cruise ship strikes whale sailing into Seward

The 4900 passenger Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas sailed into Resurrection Bay Friday morning, snagging a whale along the way.

According to onlookers, the dead whale was covered with a tarp almost immediately after the ship docked at the Alaska Railroad Lindsey Cruise Ship Terminal.

An Alaska Sealife Center team was preparing to examine the carcass by mid morning. After conducting the necropsy, a decision will be made on disposal.

The examination by marine wildlife experts will likely determine whether or not the whale was in fact killed by the vessel or, for example, was already dead of other causes.

Concern is increasing in off scene conversations among local Alaska Natives, who would like to harvest the downed cetacean.

Ringing some memory bells for many, a prior incident involving the Holland America Line Zaandam occurred in 2016.

A juvenile male fin whale was struck and killed by the cruise ship as it entered Resurrection Bay en route to dock in Seward.

The carcass was found draped over the ship’s bow when it arrived early that morning.

The whale had been seen in the area unusually close to shore, near the Alaska SeaLife Center for about two weeks prior.

The ship was traveling at the regulated approach speed of 10–12 knots with lookouts posted, but no one saw the whale in time.

NOAA investigated and determined the ship and operator were not liable for the “take” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as the collision was unavoidable under the circumstances.

New to Resurrection Bay a larger class of supersized cruise ships including the Ovation of the Seas are now regularly scheduled into the Port of Seward at the recently christened passenger ship dock.

With a crew of over an additional 1000, just one of these leviathans more than doubles Seward's population and, in the days to come, several may be in port at once.

Pictured: At the bow of the Ovation of the Seas, a crew covers a whale carcass with a tarp after the cruise liner docked at the Port of Seward Lindsey Cruise Ship Terminal early Friday morning.

06/16/2026

Planned Parenthood claims the law violates the state constitution and fundamental right to abortion in Alaska.

06/16/2026

A day after the U.S. Coast Guard announced the selection of Kodiak as homeport for two new Arctic Security Cutters in 2028, the service is out with another major new

06/15/2026

BIG NEWS FOR ALASKA NATIVE ARTISTS—My ARTIST Act was signed into law today!

The ARTIST Act protects the legal rights of Alaska Native artists who use walrus ivory in traditional handicrafts, art, ceremonial regalia, and clothing to sell their art anywhere in America. This is something I’ve been working on with Alaska Native artists for 8 years!

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Coast Guard adds Seward to list for new icebreakers

In April the United States Coast Guard announced two new Arctic Security Cutters would be homeported in Alaska.

This week an additional USCG cutter based in Seward was revealed, with two others to be based out of Kodiak.

The destination homeport for a fourth was not specified.

This order of 4 cutters is due to be delivered from a Finnish shipbuilder to the USCG by the end of 2028, so the communities can expect to see them in port sometime over the next couple years.

According to the funded Federal program, a further 7 Arctic Security Cutters (medium polar icebreakers) may be ordered from U.S. shipbuilders.

This will increase the footprint of the USCG in Seward, already the homeport of the new minted Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter Frederick Mann.

The permanent status of the Frederick Mann in Seward is awaiting some $50-million in infrastructure improvements. According to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, the $50-million has already been secured “for the shoreside infrastructure."

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4514462/us-coast-guard-advances-arctic-security-with-kodiak-and-seward-homeports/

https://www.kmxt.org/news/2026-02-19/newest-coast-guard-cutter-is-third-in-kodiak-sixth-total-statewide

The three icebreakers are expected to be delivered starting in 2028, but it’s unknown exactly when the necessary housing and on-shore infrastructure will be completed to host the vessels permanently.