Excerpt from 'Associated Press'
Scuba divers rescue 50-ton humpback whale near Farallon Islands
SAUSALITO, Calif. (AP) -- A group of scuba divers rescued a 50-foot-long humpback whale that became entangled in crab fishing gear near the Farallon Islands.
Commercial crab fishermen spotted the trapped whale around 8:30 a.m. Sunday and began making calls for help that eventually reached Mick Menigoz, a Novato fishing boat captain who also leads whale-watching tours, according to the fishermen and divers.
Menigoz, 48, received assistance from six scuba divers and three staffers at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. The group located the entangled whale around 2:30 p.m. six miles from the Farallon Islands, a chain of rocky islands about 30 miles west of San Francisco.
The 50-ton mammal was heavily entwined in the crab fishing gear, with up to a dozen traps wrapped around its tail, pectoral fins and mouth, according to diver Jason Russey, of San Francisco.
Two divers snorkeled near the whale's head while a pair of divers with scuba gear dove below the mammal.
"The scuba guys below were able to make a few cuts with knives, and once we got the line tension relieved on the ends, we were soon able to lift them up and off the whale," Russey said.
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The rescuers involved in this rescue apparently worked for hours with curved knives before they were able to free the whale from almost certain death. When she was freed, she apparently swam around and around in what appeared to be 'joyous circles' and then she came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudging them gently as though she were thanking them. Many said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
One of the divers who had cut the rope out of her mouth, said that while he was cutting her free, her eye followed his every move, watching him intently throughout the entire process. He said that after this experience, he will never be the same.
I read this story with tears in my eyes and it got me thinking about how in life we are sometimes caught up in circumstances that seem to be out of our control. We may become entangled in situations that we can't seem to free ourselves from. Often the more we struggle, the more we become entangled.
The beauty of life is that it seems that we were created not to 'go it alone' but to rely on one another. When we become entangled, we need others to help disentangle us. Think about the truism 'No man is an island unto himself'. My free-spirited nature and independence has sometimes caused me to get into a bind and my pride has prevented me from calling out for help but it has taken some pretty serious situations for me to finally get to the place where I've realised that I do need others and surprise surprise...others need me too.
Our modern lifestyles have to a large extent isolated us from others. With the advent of the internet, we've found new ways to communicate and the world has become a smaller place. We can make contact with people around the world and in this way increase our circle of "friends" but there is no replacement for friendships that offer contact in a meaningful sense.
When my brother died tragically not too long ago, I was in such a state of shock, I isolated myself and detached from my friends. I didn't want to be a burden to others. I thank God that my friends understood and didn't give up on me. Those that know I do this (something they refer to as 'Chanti's tortoise act') reached out to me gently but consistently. When I said that I didn't feel like going out, they'd offer to pop in and see me. One particular friend visited me just to give me a hug and to deliver ready-cooked meals saying, "I figured you didn't feel like cooking much and thought I'd spare you some effort.' I couldn't keep the tears from my eyes but they were tears of gratitude.
I'm so grateful to be surrounded by a loving family and friends. I'm also grateful that I can be there for my friends when they're in need.
Chanti 2008
May you, and all those you love
be so fortunate...
to be surrounded by people
who will help you get untangled
from the things that are binding you.
And, may you always know the joy
of giving and receiving gratitude.
I Appreciate THIS Chanti, and just hearing from YOU! I missed you!
I didn't want to be a burden to others. I thank God that my friends understood and didn't give up on me. Those that know I do this (something they refer to as 'Chanti's tortoise act') reached out to me gently but consistently. When I said that I didn't feel like going out, they'd offer to pop in and see me. One particular friend visited me just to give me a hug and to deliver ready-cooked meals saying, - I get like this too, when something so horrible eats up my soul, spirit and mind and heart! I still feel for you Chanti! I'm glad you OPENED the door, I have trouble with that part alone, but when I do, it's a blessing as you know!
This story is remarkable in so many ways! and your similarity is unreal! What a blessing this is, that YOU brought this to our attention! Whales must TEACH US a LESSON! This was has! I could never forget this story, these people and God's creature of love! Who showed his appreciation in his fine way!The beauty of life is that it seems that we were created not to 'go it alone' but to rely on one another. When we become entangled, we need others to help disentangle us. ---> I truly believe this, as MY most recent poems have shown! I do hope you venture there and help your heart to repair! PLEASE! I declare you will feel something in the air!
I love you Chanti, we have gone back awhile now, and I feel your spirit still deeply! What you feel - I feel too and I wish I could have been there to hug/listen/hold/cook/ etc. for YOU! Please! know my feelings are true, I would never lie to YOU!
Thank you again for this sharing, my Free- Spirit heart is filled again with an abundance of love! Have a Blessed HAPPY Day!
YOU ARE a GIFT! My soul can't resist
You share so openly with your pen
I feel a tear as I begin
you heart is true
With all you do
I especially Thank God for YOU.
Warm Hugs, LOVE, LIGHT, and Inner Peace, Warrior Purple Passion Lady SHEExoooo
STay Positive!
Namaste! Always!!!
Friends help friends, in anyway they can! They reach out caring with what is happening,as there soul shouts! A Healing has begun!!! I am smiling for your soul Chanti! Thank you again Chanti! Much love etc.
Your article offers pause for reflection on the wisdom that you share. Thank you, Chanti. Love and best wishes to you,
Regis
This is an Incredible & Stunning Experience To Read, let alone those who were witness to such a magnificent excursion to save this whale.
"in life we are sometimes caught up in circumstances that seem to be out of our control. We may become entangled in situations that we can't seem to free ourselves from. Often the more we struggle, the more we become entangled."
Your So Very Right! Life Can Be Like This & I Surely Wish Us All To Be So Blessed As The Whale When We Need Help....That is so amazing that the whale shared her gratitude to all the men. WOW!!
Much Love & Happiness To You Chanti
Embraced ~ Embrassé
Vickie
hugs
Fee