Olympic swimmer Taylor McKeown involved in whale encounter investigation

Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) is investigating an incident involving a jet ski, ridden by Olympic swimmer Taylor McKeown, near whales off the Sunshine Coast.

McKeown, and two friends, were on a jet ski off Mooloolaba earlier this week when they came across a pod of whales.

Jet skis are not allowed within 300 metres of whales.

“The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has been alerted to a recent incident at the Sunshine Coast and is now formally investigating the matter,” a statement to the ABC said.

McKeown, an Olympic silver medallist, posted a video of the encounter on social media.

She told the ABC that she took two friends out on the jet ski off Mooloolaba on Sunday.

“I knew they were going to be out this weekend [the whales] and I had my phone in my jet ski, which I always do just in case I get into trouble,” she said.

Read ABC

I can’t believe it! So this just happened 🐋✨ we were patiently waiting in the water, with the motor off and this family decided to come check us out!! An extra playful calf freaked @unnecessarahh out a little 😂👍🏼#Mooloolaba #taylortours #humpbackwhale with @unnecessarahh @bajazavadova ❤

A post shared by Taylor Mckeown (@tay_mckeown) on Oct 7, 2017 at 6:21pm PDT