Orcas and how to avoid damage

Halcyon Yachts

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At 0640 this morning we had an interaction with a pod of orcas (heading east into the Gibraltar Straits). We are on a yacht delivery of a 55fter from the Netherlands to Gib.


After the first bump, the skipper immediately stopped the vessel and started motoring astern. He made a few small circles and the orcas swam away. No damage was sustained and nobody hurt.

By going slowly in reverse your bow becomes the main target for the orcas rather than the rudder.

This particular interaction was over in less than 5 minutes.

Pete
 

Kelpie

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Glad to hear this. I'm worried about the advice from the Spanish government that taking such action is illegal.
Were you already motoring at the time?
 

KeelsonGraham

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To the best of my knowledge, one is advised not to motor towards, or into, pods of marine mammals, surely reversing away from them complies with this?

Nope, the order given by the Spanish government amounts to ‘turn your engine off, let the orcas destroy your boat (sweet little dears) and then, once they’ve gone, call for help.’

Yeah right.
 

Spirit (of Glenans)

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Nope, the order given by the Spanish government amounts to ‘turn your engine off, let the orcas destroy your boat (sweet little dears) and then, once they’ve gone, call for help.’

Yeah right.
When I did my Keelboat Instructor training , one of the things we had to be able to do was to to sail backwards. This was in boats that were only 5.70m in length, I don't know if it would be humanly possible in anything bigger?
 

Goldie

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When I did my Keelboat Instructor training , one of the things we had to be able to do was to to sail backwards. This was in boats that were only 5.70m in length, I don't know if it would be humanly possible in anything bigger?

It is! My last YMI update saw us sailing a tiller steered 34 footer backwards - and gybing to and fro. The same examiner had us doing MOB drills in F6/7 (albeit in the Solent) under sail, using an orange as the MOB and only hands allowed for picking it up. A great fun few days ?.
 

arcot

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At 0640 this morning we had an interaction with a pod of orcas (heading east into the Gibraltar Straits). We are on a yacht delivery of a 55fter from the Netherlands to Gib.


After the first bump, the skipper immediately stopped the vessel and started motoring astern. He made a few small circles and the orcas swam away. No damage was sustained and nobody hurt.

By going slowly in reverse your bow becomes the main target for the orcas rather than the rudder.

This particular interaction was over in less than 5 minutes.

Pete
 

arcot

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Press reports indicate drug smugglers use orca sightings and self damage boats to keep plod busy while running contraband in safe area.
 

Kelpie

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Press reports indicate drug smugglers use orca sightings and self damage boats to keep plod busy while running contraband in safe area.
I've met a number of people who have suffered major orca damage. There's also plenty of video evidence It's very much a real problem. If drug runners are using this as cover then that's a side story and not of very much relevance here.
 

Spirit (of Glenans)

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It is! My last YMI update saw us sailing a tiller steered 34 footer backwards - and gybing to and fro. The same examiner had us doing MOB drills in F6/7 (albeit in the Solent) under sail, using an orange as the MOB and only hands allowed for picking it up. A great fun few days ?.
Sounds like Yachtmaster Special Forces training?
 
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