In June 2021, Michael Packard, a seasoned lobster diver from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, experienced a rare and harrowing encounter when he was engulfed by a humpback whale during a routine dive. While descending approximately 45 feet to the ocean floor, Packard was suddenly enveloped in darkness and felt immense pressure around him. Initially fearing he had been attacked by a shark, he soon realized he was inside a whale’s mouth, as he felt no teeth and wasn’t bitten.
Trapped and struggling to breathe, Packard contemplated his mortality and thought of his family. After an estimated 30 to 40 seconds, the whale surfaced and expelled him into the water. Packard was rescued by his crewmate, Josiah Mayo, who witnessed the whale’s sudden movement and Packard’s emergence. He was then transported to Cape Cod Hospital, where he was treated for soft tissue injuries and later released.
Marine experts suggest that such incidents are exceedingly uncommon and likely accidental, as humpback whales are not aggressive toward humans. They feed by lunging with their mouths open to consume fish and may inadvertently engulf objects in their path. Packard’s survival is attributed to the whale’s inability to swallow large objects and its instinct to expel unfamiliar items.
This extraordinary event has drawn significant media attention, with Packard sharing his story to raise awareness about the ocean’s unpredictability and the importance of marine conservation. Despite the ordeal, he expressed gratitude for surviving and plans to continue diving, emphasizing his deep connection to the sea and his livelihood.