New technology developed at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution uses thermal imaging to detect a whale’s body or spout and provides real-time information on their distance and bearing from a vessel, with the goal of providing ship captains with enough notice to change course or slow down. The green dots on this map represent whale detections along the west coast.

A WHOI-developed Whale Detection Camera is mounted on the deck of the Manulani. Matson vessels Manoa and Matson Kodiak have also installed WHOI’s Whale Detection Cameras to help reduce vessel strikes and gather the real-world use data WHOI needs for its research and continued technology development.

Thermal imaging camera systems mounted on shipping vessels can detect moving objects several miles away. If a whale is identified, the system sends an alert within seconds, enough time for most vessels to slow down or change course.