Orca attack

[Mister E]

But you would have to buy a boat first.

 

[capnsensible]

The time to take care is tuna season. Inbound late spring, outbound Autumn. If the fixed tunny nets are out, I would be cautious and stay close inshore.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

But you would have to buy a boat first.

Been there worn that T shirt, now at 74 after some careful consideration over the last two years and supported by the fact that I live about 1000km from the nearest water I would care to sail in I have almost certainly given up boat ownership and sailing. But with a long time of sailing on various boats I still have something to contribute albeit occasionally contentious to tongue in cheek.

 

[zoidberg]

I claim no bril insight... but I do suggest there is something about some rudders, and rudders' interactions with the water, which attracts this attention.
Permit me to outline what's brought on this 'great leap of intuition'.

Several years ago I left Baltimore, Co. Cork, under sail. About a mile out, I was joined by a pod of large dolphins. Nothing unusual so far. but what was most unusual was that they were fascinated by my windvane 'in water' blade. They all crowded, shoulder to shoulder and pushing, to get really close to this white-painted appendage. The largest of them stayed, almost glued, within a few inches of the ply blade as it swayed from side to side. From time to time this big beasty would roll and stare up at me staring back down at him/her. Very aware...

I was, of course, concerned they would do some damage. That didn't happen, and after about half an hour or so, they pushed off.

Now, orcas are close cousins to my Atlantic white-sided dolphin friends. and I've wondered long about why they were so interested in my Seafeather windvane water blade..... and not in my rudder, much deeper.

I'll offer the hypothesis that what interested them was the nature of the vibrations given off by the blade's passage through the water - a presumed unusual occurence in the world they inhabit. I'm also aware that various structures - cables, wings, rudder blades - shed vortices.

'In fluid dynamics, these are called a Kármán vortex street which is a repeating pattern of swirling vortices, caused by a process known as vortex shedding, which is responsible for the unsteady separation of flow of a fluid around blunt bodies.'

It is known, but not deeply understood, that dolphins, orcas and other fishy creatures perceive the world around them, in differing depth of detail, by sensing patterns of subtle pressure change and a complex of 'returns' from their clicks-sonar. So also do whales and, clumsily, submarines. I'm positing that vibrations aka 'Karman vortex streets' streaming from certain rudders cause vibrations that 'seem' similar to food items. Hence, the orcas try to eat them.

 

[lusitano]

Today, Ocean Vibes in Faro, Portugal, encountered orcas from the Atlantic sub-population.
Message from Ocean Vibes' post, Faro, Portugal, Saturday, June 15, 2024

The pod of Iberian Orcas was seen feeding on their favourite prey: Tuna! The foraging occurred at very shallow waters, at some point at 20 meters deep

This family included one of the biggest (2nd biggest?) orcas of Portugal & Spain known as “Levi” (which might still be growing, and one day perhaps surpass the big Pingu - that also visits the area every year )

WARNING TO SAILORS: This pod is slowly moving West over the last days. We recommend to AVOID the area between Faro beach and Albufeira tomorrow. As of Faro-Olhão area itself, we kindly remind everyone that contrary to other parts of the Peninsula, the orcas tend to pass VERY close to shore here

2 sail boats reported an interaction this morning, before our sighting with the same pod, and one of them having collateral damage. The animals DID NOT show any interest in our RIB boat nor any recreational or fishing vessel in the area. The “targets” at the moment seem to be sailboats & their rudders only

Photo Credits: @alexinwaterlust
Click on the link to see the original post with more photos.

https://www.facebook.com/oceanvibesalgarve/posts/991709432960848

 

[Roberto]

Jul 16th 2024, South Brittany

Au large du Guilvinec, deux jeunes orques endommagent un voilier

 

[25931]

Today, Ocean Vibes in Faro, Portugal, encountered orcas from the Atlantic sub-population.
Message from Ocean Vibes' post, Faro, Portugal, Saturday, June 15, 2024

The pod of Iberian Orcas was seen feeding on their favourite prey: Tuna! The foraging occurred at very shallow waters, at some point at 20 meters deep

This family included one of the biggest (2nd biggest?) orcas of Portugal & Spain known as “Levi” (which might still be growing, and one day perhaps surpass the big Pingu - that also visits the area every year )

WARNING TO SAILORS: This pod is slowly moving West over the last days. We recommend to AVOID the area between Faro beach and Albufeira tomorrow. As of Faro-Olhão area itself, we kindly remind everyone that contrary to other parts of the Peninsula, the orcas tend to pass VERY close to shore here

2 sail boats reported an interaction this morning, before our sighting with the same pod, and one of them having collateral damage. The animals DID NOT show any interest in our RIB boat nor any recreational or fishing vessel in the area. The “targets” at the moment seem to be sailboats & their rudders only

Photo Credits: @alexinwaterlust
Click on the link to see the original post with more photos.

https://www.facebook.com/oceanvibesalgarve/posts/991709432960848

They have always followed the tunny to the area of tunny nets

 

[John_Silver]

Jul 16th 2024, South Brittany

Au large du Guilvinec, deux jeunes orques endommagent un voilier

Lucky escape, for Stargazer, then. We came round, from Loctudy to Brest, on Tuesday 16th. Passing Le Guilvinec, on the beat out to Penmarc’h.
Lots of dolphins about, off the point and all the way up to the Raz. Fortunately, no Orca sighted.

There was a decent swell running, in Bigouden.

Enough to make me wonder if it was wise to stand on for the Raz (which was actually pretty flat, by the time we got there).
Scary place to loose a rudder….lee shore, swell, twenty knots over the deck, extensive reefs……

 

[westhinder]

The skipper told Belgian newspapers that the interaction lasted some ten minutes and the orcas were juveniles. He motored backwards, which apparently helped, as the orcas soon lost interest. But they took a bite out of the rudder and broke the steering linkage. Boat is ashore in Loctudy for repairs.

 

[25931]

The skipper told Belgian newspapers that the interaction lasted some ten minutes and the orcas were juveniles. He motored backwards, which apparently helped, as the orcas soon lost interest. But they took a bite out of the rudder and broke the steering linkage. Boat is ashore in Loctudy for repairs.

If they took a bite out of the rudder it would appear that motoring backwards might not have been the best tactic.

 

[noelex]

Unfortunately, the current legislation prevents or at least strongly discourages sailors from discussing successful tactics. Even steps that may "disturb" the orcas are potentially illegal.

In view of the attacks it is time to change this legislation. Finding a solution to this problem is in both the long term interests of the orcas and cruising sailors.

 

[Mistroma]

If they took a bite out of the rudder it would appear that motoring backwards might not have been the best tactic.

I'd be surprised if they took a bite out of the rudder while he was moving backwards. Perhaps it happened when still going forwards or before he'd picked up any speed in reverse. Extra strain when moving backwards after damage to the rudder would explain the linkage breaking.

It makes sense that reversing, even at moderate speed makes it difficult to have the rudder bitten without an Orca getting close to the rotating prop. A glancing blow is still possible, bending the shaft or cracking something. Problem is reversing early enough and increased stress on the rudder when reversing if it isn't a balanced rudder.

 

[Koeketiene]

Jul 16th 2024, South Brittany

Au large du Guilvinec, deux jeunes orques endommagent un voilier

Looks like we got out just in time.
Till a few weeks ago, that was my stomping ground.

 

[25931]

Unfortunately, the current legislation prevents or at least strongly discourages sailors from discussing successful tactics. Even steps that may "disturb" the orcas are potentially illegal.

In view of the attacks it is time to change this legislation. Finding a solution to this problem is in both the long term interests of the orcas and cruising sailors.

I am not aware of any legislation that prevents discussion.

 

[noelex]

I am not aware of any legislation that prevents discussion.

There may be no legislation that prevents admitting to illegal activity on social media, but doing so can open up the possibility of prosecution.

Any action that can considered to "disturb" the orcas is potentially illegal. Naturally people are reluctant to expose themselves to this accusation. This restriction limits the discussion and prevents the dissemination of information.

Reports from people that have experienced these attacks and have taken successful measures to prevent damage is particularly valuable. It would be helpful to know what techniques have worked, without any threat of prosecution.

Even reasonable practices such as motoring in reverse are possibly illegal according to some authorities.
The RYA has the following advice on reversing:
”This action would still be considered illegal in some states’ coastal waters.”

If the simple action of reversing is considered illegal, cruising sailors are going to be reluctant to admit to more significant measures.

Preventing future attacks is in the long term interests of both the orcas and cruising sailors.

 

[capnsensible]

I don't get the mindset of those who believe sailors should not be able to defend themselves from this increasing threat. I can only imagine that they sail from the comfort of an armchair.....

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If I were today sailing through Orca ally and could obtain a rechargeable anti tank launcher or harpoon gun and ammunition I would have no hesitation in buying one and using it if needed and the selling it on to a like minded sailor at the other end of the passage going the other way. It's survival.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Link didney work.

 

[25931]

I don't get the mindset of those who believe sailors should not be able to defend themselves from this increasing threat. I can only imagine that they sail from the comfort of an armchair.....

or sail in less pleasant waters and are jealous.

 

[webcraft]

If I were today sailing through Orca ally and could obtain a rechargeable anti tank launcher or harpoon gun and ammunition I would have no hesitation in buying one and using it if needed and the selling it on to a like minded sailor at the other end of the passage going the other way. It's survival.

Nothing so aggressive is necessary. Dozens of yachts have successfully repelled orca attacks using underwater firecrackers that can be bought over the counter in Spain. No-one has been prosecuted for this, or for reversing. You would need to be 'caught in the act' by a passing police boat, which is, lets face it, extremely unlikely.

Discussing this is, obviously, not illegal. Having the firecrackers on board is not illegal in Spain, though it probably is in Portugal. You could theoretically be unlucky with a spot inspection, but you would have had to do something else to attract the attention of or piss off the Policia Maritima or the GNR first. I don't think they have a squad going through Facebook posts and noting down the name of any boat skippered by a firecracker mentioner.

Orca attack discussion groups are infested with orca-hugging non-sailors who threaten to inform the authorities etc, and are best ignored. I have already been dobbed in (allegedly) to both the Spanish and the Portuguese authorities by some self-rightous animal welfare nutjob for daring to mention the alleged effectiveness of making loud bangs to scare the orcas away. There is, as 25931 says, no law anywhere that prevents discussion of this.