Orca 'attack' in the Bay of Biscay

[Koeketiene]

It seemed to have it in for the rudder.

The article is in French, but google translate is available for the 'linguistically challenged'.
Couple of YouTube clips too.


Les images rares d'une orque qui bouscule un voilier dans le golfe de Gascogne : une première dans les eaux françaises

 

[Seven Spades]

I do not share his joy.

 

[25931]

I do not share his joy.

He said push not attack and it looked like play.
He kept moving.
He calls them orcas.

 

[Seven Spades]

and you think that is the end of this? This behaviour is a learned attribute and we only have many damaged boats to look forwards to, oh and higher insurance premiums and ruined holidays.

 

[awol]

For those who may be tempted into Scottish waters, our local pod is on holiday at the moment, probably at summer school (!), in Norway BBC Report. They could be back at any moment!

 

[25931]

and you think that is the end of this? This behaviour is a learned attribute and we only have many damaged boats to look forwards to, oh and higher insurance premiums and ruined holidays.

Far from thinking that this is the end I was commenting on the differences between this and other reports and hoping that it might give rise to new thoughts.
From memory damaged keels have occured to boats which were dead in the water because skippers on being approached by orcas have reduced speed before the keel wa actually touched whereas in this case speed was maintained. This might fit in with the idea that the orcas, wanting to play, were trying to encourage progress and beng frustrated started to bite.

 

[Koeketiene]

From memory damaged keels have occured to boats which were dead in the water because skippers on being approached by orcas have reduced speed before the keel wa actually touched whereas in this case speed was maintained. This might fit in with the idea that the orcas, wanting to play, were trying to encourage progress and beng frustrated started to bite.

This seems to be contrary to advice issued to skippers earlier: Killer whale interaction advice issued to skippers - Yachting Monthly

 

[Mistroma]

For those who may be tempted into Scottish waters, our local pod is on holiday at the moment, probably at summer school (!), in Norway BBC Report. They could be back at any moment!

I hope they don't pick up a smattering of French or Spanish if they are off on their hols.

 

[greeny]

Looks like they were hanging onto the rudder hitching a lift to me. Playing not attacking. But the end result can be the same i.e. loss of rudder and the associated danger that brings. Maybe stopping the boat makes them try to encourage movement so they can play as 25931 says previously. It certainly looks as though the behavior is spreading though.

 

[rib]

Tow a rubber seal looking thingy give em something to play with ???
.