A boat was filmed sinking after being struck multiple times by a group of orcas in a startling incident on September 13. The sailboat, part of the Nautic Squad Club in Portugal, was rammed continuously by the orcas, causing it to tilt and eventually take on water before going under. Fortunately, all five individuals on board were safely rescued by nearby tourist boats and lifeguards.
The same pod of orcas was also involved in another incident off Cascais, where a second yacht was reportedly attacked but not sunk. Authorities were alerted to the situation around 12:30 pm and promptly dispatched rescue teams to assist.
Although some observers initially viewed the orcas’ actions as aggressive, experts suggest that the behavior may have stemmed from curiosity or playful tendencies rather than malice. However, the repeated strikes by the orcas can result in significant damage to vessels, triggering concerns among local sailors and calls for enhanced safety measures in areas frequented by orcas.
Marine biologists are closely monitoring these interactions to gain insights into the behavior of orcas and explore ways to prevent future incidents. Despite their intimidating nickname of ‘killer whale,’ wild orcas have not caused any recorded fatalities among humans. While they are not typically harmful to people, they can pose a threat to boats.
The first documented interaction between orcas and boats was reported in May 2020, with subsequent incidents totaling over 750 encounters where orcas have pushed or rammed into boats. Experts suggest that such behavior may be attributed to playfulness, boredom, or imitation within specific orca subpopulations, with individual orcas possibly adopting the behavior after traumatic events like collisions with boats or nets.
While the orcas’ actions may appear aggressive, they are not considered deliberate attempts to harm humans. Theories also suggest that territoriality and frustration from boat noise disrupting their communication could contribute to such interactions.