Video footage captures a disturbing incident where a pod of orcas attacked a catamaran, resulting in the destruction of both rudders. The incident took place in the Strait of Gibraltar, an area where orcas have been known to target boats. Recently shared on Instagram by Catamaran Guru, the footage shows one of the killer whales swimming away with one of the severed rudders.
The captain of the vessel, Dan Kriz, recounted the encounter with the orcas in an interview with Newsweek. While sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar in April, the boat came into contact with eight orcas. Initially, Kriz thought the boat was hit by a wave, but when the orcas rammed the boat a second time, he realized what was happening. Kriz had previously encountered orcas in the same area in 2020.
In describing the attack, Kriz stated that the orcas swiftly destroyed both rudders, indicating that they seemed to know exactly what they were doing and targeted only the rudders. The increased incidents of orca aggression towards boats in the region have puzzled experts who are attempting to understand the underlying reasons.
One theory suggests that a female orca named White Gladis may have undergone a traumatic event that triggered her aggressive behavior towards vessels. Other orcas in the area could be imitating her actions. Kriz believes that a female orca led the attack on his boat, stating that she chased them and attempted to finish the job even when there was little left to destroy.
While interactions between orcas and boats are typically harmless, there have been cases of orcas ramming and even sinking vessels, which can be a terrifying experience for those on board. Experts warn that these attacks are likely to escalate in the region. However, it is important to remember that sailors are entering the orcas’ habitat and should respect their territory. Kriz also emphasized that he opposes harming the orcas and acknowledges that they are in their rightful environment.