DER BLÅSER HAN! (There he blows!) : On sailors, whales, and relationships based on not-knowing

In a town in northern Norway, the sailors on whale-watching boats meet whales in their daily work. Many have up to 30 years’ experience in locating the whales, through sight or submerged microphones, and in positioning the boats in non-intrusive ways that respect the whales’ life in the open water. But in spite of this continued, long-lasting contact, the sailors agree that there is not much that can be known about the whales. This study, based on interviews to the five seamen of one whale-watching company, explores the resources on which the sailors can draw to make sense of the underwater beings they interact with. Departing from the ontological paradigm that sees the world as made up of overlapping realities, the author draws on different aspects of multispecies theory to explore how anthropomorphism, technology, and kinship are key elements that make up the sailors’ relational ontology with whales. This is analysed in the light of the doctrine of opacity, which posits that it is not necessary to know the mind of others to have successful relations. This study hopes to further the exploration of topics within maritime anthropology, and to contribute to a better understanding of human/underwater beings that leads to the preservation of their environment