Orca Encounter Interrupts Sailing Competition Near Spain Showcasing Increased Peculiar Aggression

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A group of killer whales unexpectedly interfered with a long-distance sailing competition by nudging a boat as it neared the Strait of Gibraltar, adding to the rising number of confrontational encounters with Iberian orcas, as observed by scientists.

The sailing team of The Ocean Race had to halt their journey for 15 minutes on Thursday, as they were confronted by at least three of these massive marine creatures. The crew was forced to lower their sails and make a commotion in an attempt to deter the encroaching orcas. Although no injuries were reported, Jelmer van Beek, the skipper of Team JAJO, expressed the harrowing nature of the encounter in a video shared on The Ocean Race website.

In the video, Van Beek reported, “We were just hit by some orcas about twenty minutes ago. Three of them came directly towards us and started knocking the rudders. It was astounding to observe these majestic creatures, yet it posed a significant risk for our team.”

Team JAJO was on a leg of the race from the Netherlands to Italy, approaching the Mediterranean Sea, when at least three orcas initiated contact with the VO65 class sloop. Footage taken by the crew reveals one of the orcas seemingly brushing against the rudder, while another can be seen striking its snout into the hull of the boat.

Over the last four years, there has been an increasing trend of orcas, which are typically 16-21 feet (5-6½ meters) in length and weigh over 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms), striking or causing damage to vessels along the western coastline of the Iberian Peninsula, according to scientists.

13 of the orcas involved in these incidents are young, suggesting a possibility that this could be playful behavior. However, the involvement of two adults adds weight to the alternative theory that these actions may be a response to a past traumatic incident involving a boat.

The crew was aware of the potential risk. Brend Schuil, the on-board reporter of Team JAJO, mentioned, “We knew there was a chance of an encounter with orcas during this leg, hence we had discussed the necessary steps if such a situation arose.”

According to Schuil, they slowed down their racing speed of 12 knots by dropping the sails and creating noise to ward off the orcas. However, the team fell back from second to fourth position in the race from The Hague to Genoa before the orcas retreated. They are now expected to reach Genoa by the weekend.

Schuil observed, “The orcas seemed more aggressive/playful when we were sailing at a faster speed. Once we slowed down, their attacks also became less aggressive. Everyone on board is fine, as are the orcas.”

The Ocean Race spans several weeks and involves two categories of sailboats, with the IMOCA 60 boats participating in a 32,000-nautical mile (37,000-mile, 59,000-km) round-the-world race over six months. Previous issues faced by the boats include an enormous seaweed cluster, severe equipment failure, and a collision that removed the leader from the critical seventh leg.

Despite the race route being designed to avoid known marine habitats, there have been past incidents with whales in The Ocean Race and other high-speed sailing competitions. Although in most instances, it is the boats colliding with the sea creatures, rather than the other way around.

Earlier this year, a boat involved in the global segment of The Ocean Race set off its hazard alarm after striking what was believed to be a whale near Newfoundland, injuring two crew members. In the 2013 America’s Cup, a race was prepared

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Orca Interaction

More about Orca Interaction

• The Ocean Race Official Website
• Killer Whale Behavior
• Iberian Peninsula Marine Life
• IMOCA 60 Class
• Effects of Boat Noise on Marine Life