AFP

System uses sound to find whales, avoid ship strikes

A spotter bangs three times on the boat's cabin roof, signaling the captain to cut the throttle — now. In the foggy gray of Cape Cod Bay, the reason for the abrupt stop soon becomes apparent: The research vessel is surrounded by rare North Atlantic right whales, their glossy black heads bobbing just above the surface as they feed on plankton slicks. (07/05) More