In a startling maritime incident, a pod of orcas has deliberately sunk a sailing yacht during a sustained assault off the coast of Portugal. The event, which lasted for a tense 45 minutes, marks the latest in a growing pattern of aggressive interactions between the Iberian orca population and seafaring vessels.
The attack occurred near the port of Fonte da Telha, approximately 15 miles south of Lisbon. According to the Portuguese navy, which coordinated the rescue, the adult orcas targeted the yacht's rudder, delivering powerful and precise blows that ultimately compromised the vessel's integrity.
A Coordinated Rescue Effort
Three individuals were aboard the vessel at the time of the attack. The crew managed to send a distress signal, triggering a swift response from the Maritime Police and the Portuguese Navy. A patrol boat was dispatched to the scene and successfully evacuated all three sailors to safety. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The navy confirmed the total loss of the yacht, which succumbed to the damage and sank shortly after the crew's evacuation. The incident is now under investigation by the Maritime Police to document the specifics of the encounter.
A Pattern of Behaviour Emerges
This is not an isolated event. Since 2020, marine biologists have documented hundreds of similar interactions where orcas, specifically the endangered subpopulation of Iberian killer whales, have made contact with boats. The behaviour almost always involves the orcas ramming the rudder with remarkable force and coordination.
While the precise motivation remains a topic of scientific debate, leading theories suggest it could be a form of playful curiosity that turns destructive, a manifestation of trauma from past encounters with fishing vessels, or even a culturally learned behaviour that is spreading through the pod.
This sinking adds to a very small number of cases where the interaction has resulted in a vessel being lost, highlighting the potential risks for sailors in these waters and the ongoing mystery of this extraordinary animal behaviour.
