A dramatic and shocking scene unfolded off the coast of Portugal recently. A pod of critically endangered Iberian orcas attacked a tourist sailboat near Fonte da Telha Beach, repeatedly ramming its hull and rudder.
The damage was so severe that the boat sank, though thankfully all five people aboard were rescued without injury.
Curious Behavior by Orcas Down the Coast
Just hours after the yacht sank, another sailboat in Cascais Bay reported a similar orca interaction. Four people aboard were safely taken to port after orcas struck the side of their vessel.
While the second boat did not sink, several hits caused damage, particularly to the rudder which is known to be a frequent target in these interactions.
What We Know So Far
The incidents happened on 13 September near Lisbon: the first off Fonte da Telha, the second off Cascais. The sunken sailboat was owned by a yacht rental company called Nautic Squad.
No one was hurt in either incident, according to the Portugal National Maritime Authority. These details show how quickly the events unfolded, leaving authorities on high alert for more encounters.
Scientists Weigh In: Play or Something Else?
Experts who study orcas believe this may not be purely aggressive behavior. Many orca-boat encounters target rudders — which can disable or control a boat. Researchers suggest that orcas may be engaging in a play-like behavior, or exploring interaction with man-made vessels, rather than trying to harm people.
These incidents are becoming more frequent: since about 2020, over 70–80 orca interactions with sailboats have been recorded along Spanish and Portuguese coasts, some severe enough to sink boats.
Some commentators took the side of the orcas.
Area Response and Warnings
What Lies Ahead
Watch the video here:
@abc7la A wild scene played out off the coast of #Portugal with a pod of #orca #whales seen attacking and sinking yet another boat. It’s not the first incident of its kind, but scientists say the whales aren’t targeting humans — they most likely just want to play. #orcassinkingboats Via @abcnews
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