A recent incident in the Strait of Gibraltar has raised concerns after orcas reportedly attacked and sank a boat, prompting Spanish authorities to issue a warning to sailors encountering these giant sea mammals.
According to Salvamento Marítimo, Spain’s maritime rescue service, the incident occurred on Sunday when orcas targeted a 10-meter-long boat with two passengers onboard. Fortunately, the passengers managed to notify authorities in time and were rescued with the assistance of a nearby oil tanker and Moroccan authorities.
The boat sank near Cape Spartel, a promontory in Morocco situated near the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar, a crucial channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean between Spain and Africa.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility in Spain has outlined a set of guidelines for handling encounters with orcas while at sea:
- Avoid approaching the side of the boat and seek refuge in the middle of the vessel where sudden movements can be minimized.
- If the orcas attempt to interact with the boat, maintain forward movement and avoid turning off the motor. Consider navigating towards the coastline or shallower waters.
- Report any such encounters to the relevant authorities, regardless of whether the boat sustains damage.
These interactions between orcas and marine vessels have become increasingly frequent over the past four years, with hundreds of incidents reported. However, the exact motives behind these encounters remain unclear, with theories ranging from playful curiosity to potential competition for food sources.