Present in all the world's oceans, orcas are particularly feared by boaters in the Atlantic: off Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. In this area at the exit of the Mediterranean, indeed, some interactions took place between orcas and sailing sailboats. So, should we be careful? What can the crew do to avoid a bad encounter?
The Orca is a marine mammal belonging to the Delphinidae family, known for its intelligence. The species is recognizable by its black and white dress as well as its dorsal fin, a little more imposing in the male. The largest dolphin in the world, the Orca usually measures between 5 and 9 meters. As for its weight, it can exceed 5 tons...
While orcas swim in many of the world's seas, a specific population is of concern to boaters in the North-East Atlantic: the Iberian Orcas, which evolve in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. The Gladis Orcas, which participate in interactions on the boats in the area, cause the apprehension of many crews.
A marine sector in particular for cetaceans
Off the coast of Portugal, Spain and Morocco, in the Strait of Gibraltar, what worries the sailor is not to meet a group of dolphins who amuse themselves with the bow... but rather to find themselves confronted with a group of cetaceans seeking physical contact with the boat. Fishing vessels are involved, as are sailing vessels – monohulls and catamarans.
The « Orca attacks in the Atlantic » began to raise concerns among boaters in 2020. In 2024, 125 interactions between orcas and sailboats were recorded, mainly from May to September. The vessels concerned were, for the most part, sailing vessels less than 15 metres and sailing at an average speed of 6 knots.
The resurgence of incidents has led the scientific community to pay close attention to the phenomenon. In particular, the Atlantic Orcs Working Group (AWG) was given the task of studying the behaviour of orcas towards vessels.
What is clear is that whales act in groups and appear to adopt targeted behaviour towards certain ships. As to the reasons why species come to meet the boats, opinions differ: the orcas would interact by curiosity, by game, or with a more aggressive behavior – according to some, following a sailing-orca encounter that would have gone wrong. Younger orcas, too, could learn these behaviours by imitation of their elders...
To date, no fatal accident has fortunately been deplored. On the other hand, some sailboats were damaged, with appendices or saffrons struck, bitten or even broken. In rare cases, ships have even sank following an attack on Orcas. It is therefore important to bear in mind that the consequences of a meeting between a group of orcs and a sailboat can be important, and seriously affect navigation projects...
Recommendations for navigation with orcas
Inform upstream of passage in the area concerned
For the crew that is about to sail in the Orca attack area, it is extremely important to inquire beforehand. In fact, encounters with sailors can, most often, be avoided.
In anticipation of navigation, several materials can be consulted:
- The information and reporting portal of the Cruising Association (CA)
- The website of the Orca Atlántica Working Group (GTOA)
- GT Orcas and Orcinus applications
- The Facebook Group Orca Attack Reports
The latest reports of Orcas off Portugal, Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco, as well as regularly updated maps will make it possible to choose the safest route... or one on which there will be the least chance of crossing the species.
Gladis Orcas are mostly offshore, so to avoid the risk zone it would be necessary to sail as close to the coast in shallow waters – ideally less than 20 metres deep. This, even if you change your route or deviate your route.
In case of encounter with orcas in navigation
If the previous precautions do not prevent the encounter of Iberian whales in navigation, you will adopt without waiting the best behavior:
As with all species crossed at sea or on land, it is recommended to respect the cetacean's place of life and activities and, of course, not seek to approach or touch them.
In the event of interaction with orcas, if conditions permit, the GTOA recommends that sails should be derailed, the engine and the autopilot should be cut off, and the sailboat should be stopped. This, to make the boat uninteresting to the eyes of the orcas, make them lose their interest and encourage them to move away. All meetings should be reported to the authorities (VHF channel 16 or telephone 112), and crews should be advised to withdraw from any part of the vessel that could cause injury – by falling or rotating.
Boaters are asked to film, if possible, the scene: this would facilitate the identification of the individuals concerned and the understanding of their behaviour. The ideal is to stay out of sight of animals.
Finally, the intelligence of an attack, location and specific dates and times will be likely to assist future navigators in the area.
Equipment for preventing or reacting to an attack
To protect oneself from « attack » or interaction and ensuring safe navigation, there are specific devices.
Among them, the anti-depredation fingerer is an acoustic repellent to be boarded in one or two copies – for a monohull or a catamaran – and allows to keep the Iberian orcas at a distance. In immersion behind the boat, on a weighted end about 4 to 5 meters under the water, the fingerers create a protective bubble all around the boat, thanks to the emission of sounds.
The solution would not have an impact on the marine environment and biodiversity, if it was not to delay the arrival of cetaceans around the boat... but, in our view, it is easy to imagine that this equipment could disturb the different species. We encourage you to use the finger(s) of the edge only in case of emergency...
Orcas: rare species, to preserve
Meeting a band of Orcas in navigation can be scary, but let us remember that they are marine species that are, in the North-East Atlantic, at home. In addition, Iberian Orca has been classified as a critical danger of extinction since 2019.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population is estimated at only about 50 individuals. The Gladis Orcs would be only about fifteen.
It is therefore essential to ensure the protection of orcas and the balance of this species in particular, regardless of our wishes and plans for navigation. Only a respectful cohabitation will allow the species to survive!
Did you know that?
At Grand Large Services, we are committed to helping marine academics and biologists, particularly in the context of the navigation in rally organized by our teams.
We are pleased to support whale watching and marine science research society Biosean, founded in 2019 by marine biologist Misael Morales Vargas. Moreover, the enthusiast regularly receives the crews of our rallies in Tenerife, to raise awareness, to invite them to take part in the research work and to share the secrets of his profession!
Are you planning to sail out of the Mediterranean, off the Portuguese coast, Spain or Gibraltar? To cross the area seamlessly, our best advice will always be to anticipate the risks, and to embark all the useful equipment on your sailboat.
Choice of route, training, boat equipment... If you need help, Grand Large Services professionals will assist you in preparing your next cruise.