The sailboat, known as Alborán Cognac, came across the spirited cetaceans on Sunday morning, May 12, approximately 25.9 kilometers (14 nautical miles) from Cape Spartel in Moroccan waters, as reported by Spanish newspaper El País.
The crew stated that their 15-meter (49-foot) vessel was hit by multiple blows to its hull, resulting in damage to the rudder and water seepage into the boat. The Spanish maritime rescue service was notified, leading to the dispatch of a helicopter and a request for assistance from a passing oil tanker.
The duo was rescued by the nearby MT Lascaux oil tanker before their boat slowly sank.
Image credit: NOAA
Since May 2020, numerous similar orca encounters have been witnessed in the Mediterranean surrounding the Iberian Peninsula. According to the Atlantic Orca Working Group, there were a minimum of 52 disruptive interactions reported between July and November 2020. In 2021, a total of 197 interactions were documented, while 207 interactions were logged in 2022.
Orca, also referred to as killer whales, are a highly intelligent and socially intricate species of toothed whale. Despite being apex predators of the ocean, they typically exhibit peaceful behavior when interacting with humans in their natural habitat.
The species boasts a cosmopolitan distribution, meaning they inhabit waters across the globe, with a small population residing year-round in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Researchers remain uncertain about the emergence of this new behavior in the Strait of Gibraltar, although they suspect it spreads through social learning – a testament to the remarkable intelligence of these creatures.
Some orca experts speculate that the behavior might be playful, while others suggest it could be a more aggressive tactic to acquire food. Perhaps they’ve associated vessels with fishing and the opportunity to snatch much-needed tuna, some have speculated.
While the number of orca attacks in 2024 appears to have significantly decreased thus far, researchers are eager to gain a deeper understanding of this peculiar – and potentially concerning – behavior.
“If this situation persists or escalates, it could pose a genuine safety concern for mariners and become a conservation issue for this endangered subpopulation of killer whales,” stated a 2022 study on orca attacks.
“There is an urgent necessity for dedicated research to better comprehend the behavior of these animals and implement mitigation measures,” they concluded.
After a brief hiatus, it seems that the boat-attacking orcas of the Mediterranean have returned. Two sailors had to be rescued this weekend after their boat reportedly collided with a group of orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.
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