A British sailor shared a terrifying encounter with a group of killer whales off the coast of Spain and Portugal. The sailor, 59-year-old Robert Powell, described feeling like a ‘sitting duck’ during a two-hour attack in the Mediterranean Sea. This alarming trend of killer whales attacking boats has puzzled marine biologists in recent years.
Powell was on a 10-day trip from Vilamoura, Portugal, to Greece for his 60th birthday celebration when the orcas began circling his yacht like ‘wolves’ and ramming into the vessel. The sea creatures targeted the boats in groups, using tactics like ramming and biting to capsize the vessels.
During the attack, Powell recounted the intense moments when the orcas hit the bottom of the boat, disabling the rudder and leaving him feeling powerless. Despite trying various techniques to deter the whales, Powell and his crew ultimately had to abandon the sinking boat and were rescued by a Spanish salvage vessel.
The violence and intentional nature of the attack shocked Powell, who believed the orcas knew exactly how to sink the boat. Despite laws prohibiting sailors from shooting or throwing things at killer whales, Powell speculated that future encounters may escalate to that point.
The sailor’s harrowing experience sheds light on the increasing incidents of orca attacks on boats in the region. As experts continue to monitor this concerning trend, sailors are urged to stay vigilant and take precautions when navigating waters where killer whales are present. The unsettling clash between man and beast underscores the need for further research and measures to mitigate such encounters in the future.