At first I didn't think this was real, but it is. Its amazing no one was hurt.

Also, wasn't sure where to post this thread.

Ouch!

Good thing that's a steel hull or it would have splinters. I guess the angel stick figure didn't work.

It was a southern right whale, off the coast of Africa.
The whale didn't land on top of the boat, but glanced of the bow.
The collision caused the mast to snap and fall, but the whale only suffered apparent scratches and bumps.

(This was based on a story on CNN.)

what are the chances someone was taking a picture at that exact second?

About as much as getting hit by a flying whale :rotf2: wow

what are the chances someone was taking a picture at that exact second?

heres the story
Breaching whale crash-lands on sailboat - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/07/21/south.africa.whale.boat/index.html?hpt=P1&iref=NS1)

That's one ugly looking whale!

Do you think he said to the other whales "Hay guys watch this- bet cha I can clear that boat"

Those are extremely smart animals. I wonder what caused him to do that.

+1 for boats with motors

I always worried about being accidently bumped by a pilot whale (see many over the year some close) but a big giant like that actually jumping and almost landing on your boat is unbelieveable. It could have been some defensive response if a smaller baby was around but I think sometimes these are just accidental , meaning the whale didn't intend to hit the boat. Who knows????

The boaters' were probably encroaching the whale's breaching territory (whale watching) otherwise why such a precise timed camera shot.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Took this video of a close call while on a whale watch a coupla years ago. Good thing it did not hit the boat...

YouTube - Humpback Whale almost hits pleasure boat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njLO2VIUQls)