Whale Sighting In San Francisco Bay Prompts Coast Guard Warning To Ferry Operators

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The U.S. Coast Guard warned ferry operators in San Francisco Bay and other boaters Monday to be on the lookout for a whale that was spotted in the bay.

The warning was broadcast Monday afternoon over the Coast Guard's marine traffic radio service used by commercial vessels.

The whale was reportedly sighted Monday off of Pier 9 north of the Ferry Building and again off Pier 23.

Earlier this month, two gray whales – a mother and calf – were seen swimming between Alcatraz and Angel Island.

Tens of thousands of gray whales, which half a century ago were nearing extinction, are currently making their annual southern migration from the Arctic down the Pacific Coast to warmer waters near Baja California for breeding.