On August 21, 2024, a German sailboat experienced rudder failure in the Vigo estuary in Galicia, Spain, after repeated contact with orcas. The vessel was subsequently towed to safety while the orcas continued to ram it, according to Spanish newspaper Faro de Vigo.
This incident is part of a growing pattern of interactions between Iberian orcas and boats that began around 2020. Since May 2020, at least 673 incidents have been documented, primarily off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, according to research from 2024 and the International Whaling Commission. The encounters typically involve orcas targeting rudders, sometimes causing significant damage and even sinking vessels.
The behavior is concentrated in the Strait of Gibraltar, along the Portuguese coast near Cape St. Vincent, and off the coast of Galicia. While the number of interactions peaked in 2022 with 207 reported cases, incidents continue to occur. Earlier this week, a recent incident off the coast of Portugal required the rescue of four people after their boat was struck. This was the third such attack in seven days.
Scientists are currently investigating the cause of this behavior, with one line of inquiry focusing on the orcas’ communication. Researchers are studying the underwater “dialect” used by killer whales, hoping to understand the motivations behind the attacks. The orcas communicate using sounds ranging from 1 to 50 kilohertz, some of which are audible to humans.
Despite the damage inflicted, researchers largely believe the orcas are not acting aggressively, but rather engaging in playful behavior. Heath Samples, a yachtsman from Scarborough, Yorkshire, experienced this firsthand in 2022 when his yacht sustained £24,000 in damage. He described being thrown off his feet as the orcas repeatedly buffeted his vessel, stating, “It was terrifying. We thought, if we are thrown in the water, what are they going to do to us? They have just thrown a 10-tonne yacht all over the place, what are they going to do to you?” The repairs to his yacht took eleven months to complete.
The phenomenon appears to be spreading within the local orca population, suggesting a form of cultural transmission. While the exact reasons remain unclear, researchers suggest the orcas may be treating the boats’ rudders as objects of play, similar to how children interact with toys. The attacks have prompted concern among sailors navigating the busy seaway between Spain and Morocco.
As of late last year, authorities have not announced any new strategies to mitigate the interactions, and the orcas continue to exhibit this behavior. Further research is planned to analyze the orcas’ dialects and potentially predict future encounters.
