Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Raging killer whales are launching terrifying ‘orchestrated’ attacks on boats injuring sailors – and no one knows why
The Sun ^ | 9/13/20 | Chiara Fiorillo

Posted on 09/19/2020 6:28:19 AM PDT by Rebelbase

SCIENTISTS have been left confused by a series of incidents in which killer whales have hit sailing boats along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts.

In some cases, boats have been damaged and at least one crew member suffered bruising from the impact of the ramming.

Two boats also lost parts of their rudders due to the impact of the attacks, according to reports.

Incidents have been reported in several locations, including one just off A Coruña, on the northern coast of Spain, on Friday afternoon.

Pete Green, managing director of Halcyon Yachts, told The Guardian a boat was being taken to the UK when an orca rammed its stern at least 15 times.

As a consequence of the impact, the vessel lost steering and was towed into port to assess damage.

A similar incident happened near Vigo, northwest Spain, at the end of August, when sailors alerted the coastguard to say their boat was “under attack” from killer whales.

On the same day, a Spanish naval yacht, Mirfak, lost part of its rudder after an encounter with orcas under the stern.

On July 29, a boat was surrounded by nine orcas off Cape Trafalgar, in the south-west of Spain.

The killer whales rammed the hull for over one hour, spinning the boat 180 degrees, disabling the engine and breaking the rudder, as they communicated with loud whistling, The Guardian reports.


TOPICS: Cheese, Moose, Sister; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: gibraltar; portugal; spain
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last
To: Rebelbase

41 posted on 09/19/2020 6:57:59 AM PDT by Flag_This (China delenda est.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

I remember reading that book. I think they saw one of the killer whales with a divot out of its head where it had rammed the keel in the attack. Them fish meant business.


42 posted on 09/19/2020 6:59:53 AM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

‘Scientists’ are trying to figure this out.

Meanwhile, ‘The working assumption among ocean sailors is that sailing yachts, moving in silence on the ocean, sometimes strike and injure “half sleeping” whales.’

How soon till a mandatory noise maker on sailboats? For the Whales, you know.


43 posted on 09/19/2020 7:00:18 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (This is not /s. It is just as viable as any MSM 'information', maybe more so!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

“Orc Lives Matter?”

D*mn Troll. This problem Drawfs the Orcs!


44 posted on 09/19/2020 7:00:30 AM PDT by Robert A Cook PE ( I can only donate monthly, but the radical ABCNNBCBS does it every hour on their news.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
West Marine's newest accessory for your sailing yacht:


45 posted on 09/19/2020 7:01:41 AM PDT by BwanaNdege ( Experience is the best teacher, but if you can accept it 2nd hand, the tuition is less!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Religion and Politics

Sharknado..everyone knows that.


46 posted on 09/19/2020 7:03:12 AM PDT by silent majority rising
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

The sea was angry that day, my friend.


47 posted on 09/19/2020 7:08:14 AM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase

Sounds to me like it’s time to thin the herd. BTW, whale meat is delicious.


48 posted on 09/19/2020 7:09:47 AM PDT by attiladhun2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
Obviously, Aquaman is up to no good...


49 posted on 09/19/2020 7:10:17 AM PDT by moovova
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase

Trump’s fault.


50 posted on 09/19/2020 7:12:44 AM PDT by ripnbang ("An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man, a subject.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
Killer whales are highly intelligent. My take on it some yacht took a shot at a orcha, grievously injuring or killing one. Many yachts carry weapons. Orcha pods are usually led by a matriarch and stay together for extended periods. The orchas now consider yachts a threat.
51 posted on 09/19/2020 7:15:08 AM PDT by BluH2o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

Sailboats need deer whistles?


52 posted on 09/19/2020 7:15:30 AM PDT by JohnBovenmyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

Lol


53 posted on 09/19/2020 7:16:36 AM PDT by dp0622 (I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABO UT THE COVID GODFATHER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege

A Hedgehog! Always wanted one.


54 posted on 09/19/2020 7:17:51 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Scrambler Bob

Ocean sailors have known this forever. It’s even in Moby Dick, toothed predator (sperm) whales ramming and sinking wooden ships.


55 posted on 09/19/2020 7:18:08 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

I thought about your steel hulled boat when I read this article a couple days ago here on FR. I should have pinged you.

“and no one knows why” I do. They hit an Orca when it was sleeping and they all got really pissed.


56 posted on 09/19/2020 7:20:09 AM PDT by Cold Heart (Portland Voted for IT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

I see what you did there.


57 posted on 09/19/2020 7:22:45 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to says it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

You really wonder how whales interact with modern submarines with their low-cavitation propellers and anechoic tiles on the surface of the submarine. A pod of Orcas may have very little warning when a modern submarine like the Virginia-class submarine goes by.


58 posted on 09/19/2020 7:23:58 AM PDT by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's Economic Cure)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

I certainly enjoyed it.


59 posted on 09/19/2020 7:25:19 AM PDT by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

“My boat is 3/16” steel, and they will just get a headache.”

A disproportionate response. Unfair to the whales.


60 posted on 09/19/2020 7:33:07 AM PDT by Rebelbase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson