Key takeaways:
- The Mustique, a 20-meter vessel sailing under a British flag, was attacked by a group of killer whales, breaking the rudder and piercing the hull.
- Andrew W. Trites, professor and director of Marine Mammal Research at the University of British Columbia, said that the behavior is unusual and began in 2020.
- The reason for the attacks is a mystery, but it is possible that the orcas are attracted to the boats by the sound of their engines, or that they are trying to hunt fish that are attracted to the boats.
A sailing boat off the coast of southern Spain was severely damaged by a group of killer whales on Thursday, according to the local maritime rescue service. The Mustique, a 20-meter vessel sailing under a British flag, was on its way to Gibraltar when it was attacked by the orcas, which broke the rudder and pierced the hull.
The maritime rescue service deployed a rapid-response vessel and a helicopter carrying a bilge pump to assist the boat and its four crew members. Reports of killer whales appearing to try and capsize boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal have raised questions about the giant sea creatures and the motive behind their erratic actions.
Andrew W. Trites, professor and director of Marine Mammal Research at the University of British Columbia, said that the behavior is unusual and began in 2020. According to data released by GTOA, a group that researches orcas in the region, the incidents have more than tripled in the past two years.
Trites said that while there is no doubt whales are damaging boats and terrifying the people on board, the reason is a mystery. He added that it is possible that the orcas are attracted to the boats by the sound of their engines, or that they are trying to hunt fish that are attracted to the boats. Whatever the reason, the attacks have been increasing in frequency and severity, and authorities are urging caution when sailing in the area.
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