Orcas in Portugal sink boat

[dhill]

Several sailboat cruising channels (SailLife, Sailing Project Atticus, etc.) have mentioned that Orcas are attacking sailboat rudders. I have heard of several sailboats incapacitated by broken rudders, but this is the first instance I've heard of a boat actually sinking. Apparently, scientists believe this behavior is learned and limited (for the moment) to the pod of juvenile whales off of Portugal playing with rudders as a game. I have heard reports of Orca ramming rudders off Portugal, but in this case, it looks like the rudder was chewed off.

I hope this isn't an ongoing trend or one that spreads to other pods. Otherwise, if you are near Portugal, be careful to check where Orca incidents have recently occurred.

Dave

 

[Christian Williams]

Here's another one. Rudders attract? Might be useful to know that.

 

[dhill]

Here's another one. Rudders attract? Might be useful to know that.

Interesting strategy they used to get through their encounter...

 

[Mr. Scarlett]

Perhaps the sound from the depth sounder gets on their nerves.

 

[Bolo]

I’ve read someplace that some sailor’s transiting the Orca “territory” turn off every electronic device (auto helm, depth sounder, ever frig) to make the boat as ”quiet” as possible. It’s strange but also fortunate that Orca boat attacks seem to happen mostly off Portugal and no where else but then maybe other attacks don’t make the news too much.