Whale spotted in New York Harbor near Statue of Liberty
NEW YORK -- The Coast Guard says it’s received reports of a whale near the Statue of Liberty.
Petty Officer Frank Iannazzo-Simmons says the whale was spotted around 8 a.m. Thursday near Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
The Coast Guard put out an advisory telling mariners to watch out and avoid contact with the whale.
Boats of all sizes frequent the area, including Staten Island ferries and cargo vessels.
It wasn’t clear what type of whale it was.
It’s unusual for whales to get close to Liberty Island, but it has happened in the past, Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Stromeir told CBS New York.
“It’s not very common that they come into the harbor this close,” Stromeir said.
The whale didn’t appear to be hurt and was just swimming around the island, Stromeir said.
