Orcas Damage yachts Off Spanish Coast in Renewed attacks
Gibraltar Strait – Killer whales have once again been implicated in attacks on yachts sailing near Spain, with two vessels reporting damage within minutes of each other in the area of Grove, within the Gibraltar Strait. The incidents, reported by The Self-reliant, mark a continuation of a concerning trend that began in May 2020 and has now involved over 500 reported encounters.
Thes intentional interactions between orcas and boats are raising alarm among maritime authorities and experts, who are struggling to understand the cause of this unusual behavior. While the immediate impact is limited to damage to vessels and potential risk to sailors, the incidents highlight a potential shift in orca behavior and raise questions about the long-term consequences for both the whales and maritime traffic in the region.
The captain of the yacht San Pedro described experiencing “two powerful blows,” discovering afterward that the rudder had been severely damaged. “We felt two powerful blows, and when we looked in the water, we saw two killer whales and a completely destroyed rudder,” he stated. A crew member from the second impacted vessel reported being “realy horrified” realizing the whales were intentionally striking the hull.
following the second attack,a water leak developed,prompting an urgent response from maritime rescue services,who towed both yachts to harbor.Authorities have increased monitoring of coastal waters and are advising sailors to avoid areas where attacks have been reported.Recommendations include stopping vessels promptly, turning off engines, and avoiding any displays of aggression when encountering orcas.
Leading naval biologist Alex Zerbini, chairman of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Committee, suggests the behavior may represent a “new tradition” among the whales or a “temporary strangeness” lacking a clear adaptive purpose. The focused targeting of steering mechanisms demonstrates an unusual level of coordination, further deepening the mystery surrounding these incidents.