Similar attacks
From the Strait of Gibraltar to northern Galicia, several attacks by killer whales have been reported. The most recent was on September 11, 2020, when a 36-foot sailboat in convoy was boarded by several killer whales. The damage was concentrated on the rudder, forcing the crew to release in Cascais, Portugal.
On 30th August, the rudder of an Oceanis 44 was damaged in broad daylight by a group of killer whales measuring between 6 and 8 metres.
A few days earlier, an identical attack was reported 70 miles south of Vigo.
In all, since the beginning of July, no fewer than 7 similar incidents have been recorded in this area, which is very busy with vessels of all kinds. There has been no human tragedy, but the damage is serious. To this must be added the trauma experienced by the crews, faced with the feeling of powerlessness felt in such a situation. The loss of the steering gear can have serious consequences and lead to the evacuation of a sailboat.
Attacks have always taken place during the day, on ships sailing off the coast.
Extremely rare accidents
Collisions between sailboats and cetaceans are usually fortuitous and mainly involve sperm whales and fin whales. The killer whale is a species that is very little concerned by accidents with sailing ships. Interactions between boaters and killer whales are very frequent, but accidents are rarely reported.
Fast, agile and highly intelligent, the killer whale has no real predators. It is therefore unlikely that the hulls of sailing ships would be considered a danger to a group of killer whales. Among the hypotheses put forward by Ifremer, the protection of a calf or the defence of a hunting territory could justify such behaviour.
It's hard to keep your distance from a group..
Of the dolphin family, killer whales are considered by scientists to be social and highly intelligent mammals. Spanish maritime authorities have since asked vessels to "keep their distance" from killer whales to avoid further incidents. But the task seems complicated. The only parry for a yachtsman is to avoid crossing the path of a group of killer whales at best. As a reminder, killer whales can reach speeds of up to 24 knots.
