Yeah but a whale?

On the Harbor Patrol Boats in the navy, we usually had to watch out for manatees, but I've not heard of someone hitting a whale while boating.   I've had dolphins come up to my boat and even hauled a shark in my boat, been with sea turtles and even manta rays that must've been bigger than 30' across....but hitting a whale?  For some reason, I'm reminded of my childhood favorite, Calvin and Hobbes: