Encounters with Aggressive Iberian Orcas: A Growing Trend in Endurance Sailing Races

Pod of Killer Whales Bump Boat in Endurance Sailing Race near Strait of Gibraltar

In a startling encounter during an endurance sailing race, a pod of killer whales bumped into one of the boats as it approached the Strait of Gibraltar. This incident is the latest in a series of sometimes-aggressive interactions with Iberian orcas, according to researchers.

The crew competing in The Ocean Race had a 15-minute run-in with at least three of these giant mammals on Thursday. In an attempt to scare off the approaching orcas, the crew dropped its sails and made loud noises. Fortunately, no one was injured, but Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek described the incident as “a scary moment” in a video posted on The Ocean Race website.

The boat, a VO65 class sloop, was on its way from the Netherlands to Italy and was approaching the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea when the orcas approached. Videos taken by the crew showed one of the killer whales nuzzling the rudder and another running its nose into the hull.

Over the past four years, there have been increasing reports of orcas bumping or damaging boats off the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Scientists have identified 15 individual orcas involved in these encounters, with 13 of them being young. This supports the hypothesis that the orcas are playing. However, the presence of two adult orcas also raises the possibility that they are responding to some traumatic event involving boats.

The sailors were aware of the potential hazard. Team JAJO on-board reporter Brend Schuil stated, “We knew that there was a possibility of an orca attack this leg, so we had already spoken about what to do if the situation would occur.” When the orcas approached, the crew dropped the sails and made noises to scare them off. However, the encounter caused the boat to fall from second to fourth place on the leg from The Hague to Genoa.

Schuil noted that the orcas seemed more aggressive or playful when the boat was sailing at speed. Once the boat slowed down, the orcas became less aggressive in their attacks. Fortunately, everyone on board the boat and the orcas themselves were unharmed.

The Ocean Race involves two classes of sailboats that spend weeks at sea, with the IMOCA 60 boats circumnavigating the globe in a six-month, 32,000-nautical mile journey. Throughout the race, boats have faced various challenges, including a giant seaweed flotilla, equipment failures, and collisions.

While the race course is designed to avoid known marine habitats, encounters with whales have occurred in The Ocean Race and other high-speed regattas in the past. However, these encounters typically involve boats crashing into the animals, rather than the other way around.

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by sailors during these races. In May, another boat in The Ocean Race triggered its hazard alarm after colliding with what was suspected to be a whale off the coast of Newfoundland, resulting in injuries to two crew members. Similar incidents have occurred in other sailing events, such as the America’s Cup and SailGP.

In 2005, a South African yacht participating in the America’s Cup hit a whale during training near Cape Town, causing injuries to two crew members and significant damage to the boat.

The encounter with the killer whales highlights the need for sailors to be vigilant and prepared for unexpected encounters with marine wildlife. As the race continues, participants will remain cautious and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both the sailors and the animals they encounter.

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AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson contributed to this story.

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What factors have contributed to the increase in reports of orcas bumping or damaging boats off the Iberian Peninsula in the Strait of Gibraltar?

He Netherlands to Italy.

This incident highlights the growing concern surrounding interactions between boats and killer whales in the Strait of Gibraltar. Over the past few years, reports of orcas bumping or damaging boats off the Iberian Peninsula have been on the rise. Scientists have identified 15 individual orcas involved in these encounters, most of them young. This has led researchers to hypothesize that the orcas may be engaging in playful behavior. However, the presence of two adult orcas raises the possibility that they may be responding to some traumatic event involving boats.

The crew of the VO65 class sloop competing in The Ocean Race had a nerve-wracking experience when at least three killer whales approached their boat during the race. In an effort to scare off the orcas, the crew dropped their sails and made loud noises. Thankfully, no one was injured, but skipper Jelmer van Beek described the incident as “a scary moment.” Videos captured by the crew show one of the killer whales nuzzling the rudder and another bumping its nose into the hull.

The encounter took place as the boat was approaching the Strait of Gibraltar, en route from the Netherlands to Italy. Despite being aware of the potential hazard, the sailors were taken off guard by the close encounter. On-board reporter Brend Schuil explained, “We knew that there was a possibility of an orca attack this leg, so we had already spoken about what to do if the situation would occur.” However, the incident caused the boat to fall from second to fourth place on this leg of the race.

While interactions between boats and killer whales in the Strait of Gibraltar remain somewhat of a mystery, efforts are being made to better understand and mitigate these encounters. The incident serves as a reminder to sailors and researchers alike to stay vigilant when navigating through these waters, and to take appropriate measures to ensure both their safety and the well-being of these magnificent creatures.