Portland Marina’s resident dolphin

It's not unusual to see dolphins and porpoises in Weymouth Bay and off Portland Bill, but we've regularly been visited by a solitary dolphin who is quite happy to come right into the marina and show off to the delight of berth holders and visitors alike. Danny the Dolphin has been seen hunting for fish between the pontoons and around the boats, and has even performed acrobatics and leaps close to boats at the marina entrance.

Portland Marina-based local diver Ian Taylor often has the dolphin stop by and inspect his work while he's been diving in Portland Harbour and many of the dive clubs resident in the marina’s dry stack facility have reported visitations whilst they have been diving on the wrecks in and around the harbour.

It is lovely to see the dolphin so close, but we must take precautions to ensure that he doesn't get injured or stressed. The Sea Watch Foundation say:

• Don't chase or approach dolphins or other cetaceans
• Maintain a slow and steady course so they're not confused
• Don't drive between members of a group
• Do not swim with, touch or feed them
• All them an escape route - don't box them in between boats

There's more advice on the Sea Watch Foundation website

Please note that under UK law, it is an offence to intentionally kill or injure cetaceans. It is also an offence to disturb cetaceans and basking sharks. To do so intentionally or recklessly may result in a prison sentence.

Danny has his own Facebook page to report sightings and upload photos and Portland Marina's Steve Belasco (www.jurassicphotographic.com) has some lovely photos on his website. One of our berth holders uploaded this lovely video to YouTube after Danny spent an afternoon entertaining his crew in the marina.

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