A pod of killer whales recently caused a 15-minute encounter with a boat participating in an endurance sailing race as it approached the Strait of Gibraltar. The incident highlights a growing trend of occasionally aggressive interactions with Iberian orcas, as reported by researchers.
The crew of Team JAJO, competing in The Ocean Race, was forced to drop its sails and create noise in an attempt to deter the approaching orcas. While no injuries were reported, the incident left the crew shaken.
Team JAJO was nearing the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea on a leg from the Netherlands to Italy when at least three orcas approached their boat, a VO65 class sloop. Video footage captured by the crew showed one of the killer whales appearing to nuzzle the rudder, while another video displayed one of them running its nose into the hull.
Over the past four years, there have been increasing reports of orcas, measuring an average of 16-21 feet (5-6½ meters) in length and weighing more than 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms), bumping or damaging boats along the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
The reasons behind this behavior are not yet fully understood. A team of marine life researchers studying killer whales off Spain and Portugal has identified 15 individual orcas involved in these encounters, with 13 of them being young, suggesting that they may be engaging in playful behavior.
However, the presence of two adult orcas also supports an alternative theory that the interactions may be a response to some traumatic event involving boats.
The sailors were aware of the potential hazard. “We knew that there was a possibility of an orca attack this leg,” said Brend Schuil, the on-board reporter for Team JAJO. The crew promptly dropped the sails, reducing their speed from 12 knots, and made noises to scare off the orcas.
Despite their efforts, the encounter caused the team to drop from second to fourth place on the leg from The Hague to Genoa. However, everyone on board was unharmed, and the animals appeared to be unharmed as well.
The Ocean Race involves two classes of sailboats competing at sea for extended periods, with the IMOCA 60 boats circumnavigating the globe over a six-month, 32,000-nautical mile (37,000-mile, 59,000-km) journey.
While the race course is designed to avoid exclusion zones protecting known marine habitats, previous encounters with whales have occurred during The Ocean Race and other high-speed regattas. However, such incidents typically involve boats colliding with the animals, rather than the other way around.
Efforts are being made to understand and address the increasing interactions between boats and killer whales.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need to navigate safely and respectfully in marine environments, taking precautions to protect both human and animal life. As the race continues, participants and organizers remain vigilant, ensuring the safety of all involved while respecting the natural habitats of marine wildlife.