In a remarkable incident that sounds like a biblical story come to life, a Massachusetts lobster diver survived being swallowed by a humpback whale off the coast of Cape Cod, an experience that marine experts call “extraordinarily rare.”
Michael Packard, 56, was diving for lobsters off Provincetown’s coast on what seemed like another routine Friday morning. At around 8 a.m., approximately 45 feet below the surface, his typical workday turned into a scene straight out of Pinocchio.
“I was completely inside; it was completely black,” Packard told the Cape Cod Times from his hospital bed. “I thought to myself, ‘there’s no way I’m getting out of here. I’m done, I’m dead.’ All I could think of was my boys — I have a 12 and 15-year-old.”
A 30-Second Nightmare
According to Packard’s firsthand account, he initially thought he’d been attacked by a great white shark, a common concern in Cape Cod waters.
However, he quickly realized he couldn’t feel any teeth and wasn’t experiencing any sharp pain. That’s when the horrifying reality set in – he had been swallowed by a whale.
Josiah Mayo, Packard’s crewmate who witnessed the incident from their boat, described seeing the whale surface and violently shake its head before spitting Packard out. “It was just a huge splash and then I saw Mike come flying out of the water,” Mayo reported to local authorities.
Medical Miracle
Remarkably, Packard emerged from the ordeal with only minor injuries. Dr. Margot Sullivan at Cape Cod Hospital confirmed that he suffered soft tissue damage but had no broken bones. “In my 40 years of medicine, this is certainly a first,” she remarked.
Lobster diver Michael Packard, 56, of Wellfleet, gives the thumbs up Friday morning from Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, where he was taken after he was injured in an encounter with a humpback whale Provincetown. He was later released from the hospital. Courtesy Of Packard Family
Marine biologist Peter Williams from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown explained why such an encounter is exceptionally unusual.
“Humpback whales are not aggressive animals, especially towards humans,” he said. “This was likely an accidental encounter. The whale was probably feeding on small fish, using a method called lunge feeding, and Mr. Packard was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Local fishermen have already dubbed Packard “Jonah of Cape Cod,” referencing the biblical figure who survived being swallowed by a whale. The incident has sparked international interest, with marine researchers from around the world reaching out to document this unprecedented event.
“I know what happened to me sounds incredible,” Packard said during a press conference two days after the incident. “It was a true miracle that I survived. I was inside a whale’s mouth for about 30-40 seconds, yet here I am to tell the story.”
Despite his brush with death, Packard has expressed his intention to return to diving once he’s fully recovered. “I’ve been diving for 40 years and love my job,” he stated. “One whale is not going to stop me from doing what I love.”
The incident has also sparked renewed interest in whale behavior studies and diver safety protocols in the region. Local authorities are using this event to remind divers about the importance of being aware of whale activities during diving season.
Editor’s Note: This story has been verified through multiple sources, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimonials.