Rescue at High Tide: Volunteers and Responders Battle Fierce Surf to Save Entangled Juvenile Humpback
A juvenile humpback whale was stranded on an Oregon beach the night of Nov. 15 after apparent entanglement in fishing lines, prompting a dramatic, dangerous rescue effort captured on video by TikTok creator Jacob Colvin (known online as @Jake.pnw).
Colvin's footage shows dozens of people and responders bracing against powerful waves while holding ropes and attempting to turn the animal so it could ride the incoming tide. In his narration he warns that “if it gets picked up by a wave and dropped on somebody, that is 80,000 pounds,” underscoring the peril to both volunteers and bystanders as the exhausted whale thrashes in the surf.
Timeline and on-the-ground conditions
Colvin said he arrived around 9 p.m. on Nov. 15 after a friend alerted him that a live humpback was stranded and “crying out for help.” He estimated about 20 people were at the scene, with some pulling on a rope tied to the whale’s tail while others pushed at its head to rotate it toward the ocean. The stranding occurred during a seasonal “King Tide,” when cold, rough water and strong currents made the situation especially hazardous; Colvin reported rescuing a woman twice from being swept out by the surf.
Experts urge caution
Marine biologist Carrie Newell of Whale Research Eco Excursions, a member of the Stranding Network, urged the public to keep their distance. She explained that a whale out of the water is not buoyed by it, which compresses internal organs and can cause life-threatening complications, and that a humpback's thick blubber can dangerously overheat the animal on land. Newell emphasized that human safety is the top priority and noted that approaching a beached whale is both dangerous and illegal in many jurisdictions.
Rescue challenges and response
Responders later identified the animal as a juvenile, likely 2 to 3 years old and estimated at roughly 25–30 tons (about 50,000–60,000 pounds). Observers also reported signs the whale had been entangled in crab-pot line, a recurring threat to migrating cetaceans, and called for stronger rules and removal programs targeting abandoned fishing gear.
Teams from multiple organizations arrived with ropes, pulleys and specialized equipment and discussed measures including digging a trench to assist movement of water and reduce tumbling in the surf. Newell and other responders stressed interventions must be carefully planned: towing a large whale is nearly impossible, and an uncoordinated attempt can endanger people and worsen the whale's condition.
Current status and outlook
Colvin reported the whale remained alive on the beach two days after the initial sighting. Officials asked the public not to intervene, saying the animal may still have a chance to self-rescue if conditions and tides improve. Rescuers described the situation as precarious and are “hoping against hope for a miracle” while maintaining crowd control and prioritizing safety.
Note: If you encounter a stranded whale, keep your distance, follow instructions from authorized responders, and report the sighting to local marine mammal stranding authorities.
