More than 80 guests were reported damaged, a number of seriously, after a hydrofoil ferryboat evidently struck a whale while underway in the Sea of Japan on Saturday.

The high-speed hydrofoil, called Ginga, was underway from Niigata, Japan to Sado Island when the vessel struck what the ferryboat driver claimed seems “marine life”.

The effect was solid sufficient to send out guests flying right into seats before them.

The driver, Sado Steam Ship Company, claimed there were 121 guests as well as 4 team participants aboard at the time. Six individuals were moved to a healthcare facility with major injuries, the firm claimed in an apology.

The vessel came to Sado Island under its very own power however concerning a hr behind routine.

The waterjet-powered Ginga ferryboat has a full throttle of 46 knots, according to the driver’s web site.