Orcas attacked two boats off the coast of Spain: details of the incidents.

Orca attacks on boats

According to The Sun: Orcas have once again attacked boats off the coast of Spain. Two attacks occurred almost one after the other.

Both incidents, described by crew members as 'very frightening', took place in the waters of Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, where numerous pods of orcas have been observed in recent weeks.

The first attack occurred off the coast of O Grove, a popular holiday destination, and the second—north of Ons Island.

Orcas damaged the rudder of the first boat and caused a leak on the second.

“Honestly, we were very scared; we were really 'shocked' when we realized orcas were hitting the boat,” said one crew member of the attacked boats.

Ecologists note that orcas constantly move between North Africa, southern Spain, the Cantabrian Sea, and the coast of France.

They are believed to be pursuing their favorite prey—tuna and even octopuses.

“These constant movements mean that interactions between whales and recreational boats often occur, as happened in O Grove and a few minutes later—in Ons,” noted one scientist.

In both incidents, it is likely that the same orca with a calf was involved.

The boat 'San Pedro', which was attacked, was motorized and at the time of the attack was already raising its sail.

“It happened at six in the evening when we felt two hits. When we looked, we saw that there were two orcas, and the rudder was destroyed,” the captain told the Faro de Viga newspaper.

Fortunately, no one was injured, and the boat was towed to port by the maritime rescue service.

Reasons for orca attacks

However, the exact reasons why orcas have started attacking boats so frequently remain unknown. This may be a display of curiosity or even aggression in response to stressful situations.

“This is absolutely normal behavior for wild animals, which are known to be unpredictable and always on the move,” emphasized one ecologist.

Ecologists urge caution and advise recreational vessels not to approach orcas.

These incidents highlight the importance of being attentive to wild animals and their habitats. Orcas, like other species, have their own behavioral traits and need respect from humans. Given the increasing contacts between whales and vessels, it is crucial to follow ecologists' recommendations and always keep a distance when encountering these majestic creatures.