Portugal’s coastlines have been facing an unusual and alarming phenomenon: orcas attacking sailboats.
In the past week alone, authorities have had to rescue two vessels after killer whales aggressively rammed tourist boats near Lisbon, leaving sailors stranded and some boats sunk.
Another Sailboat Rescued Near Costa da Caparica
On Monday, the Portuguese coast guard responded to a distress call from a sailboat approximately 10 nautical miles off Costa da Caparica.
The National Republican Guard reported that the vessel suffered “successive collisions with the bow caused by orcas.”
Four people aboard were escorted safely to the port of Cascais, marking the second orca-related rescue in just three days.
A Weekend Sinking Captured on Video
Just days earlier, a yacht carrying five tourists sank off Fonte da Telha beach after being repeatedly rammed by a pod of orcas.
Dramatic footage shows several killer whales circling and violently striking the boat, which slowly heeled over before submerging.
Fortunately, none of the passengers required medical attention.
Increasing Orca Interactions With Sailboats
According to orcas.pt, there have been over 70 reported interactions between orcas and sailboats so far this year.
The Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre received the alert promptly at 12:30 p.m., dispatching lifeguards immediately.
Local witnesses, including Bernardo Queiroz of the Mercedes-Benz Oceanic Lounge, reported seeing the orcas circling the distressed vessel during a dolphin-watching trip.
Conflicting Witness Accounts
Eyewitnesses have offered differing accounts of the attacks.
Some reported a pod of four orcas, while others said a single whale repeatedly struck the rudder, causing water to flood the vessel.
Since 2019, these kinds of incidents have become more frequent along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, with orcas often targeting rudders.
Between 2020 and 2023, around 500 attacks were documented.
A Growing Pattern Along the Iberian Coast
No humans have been harmed in these attacks, but roughly 20% of vessels involved have been damaged or lost.
The incidents have raised concerns among local sailors, especially after a recent spate of attacks off Galicia, Spain.
Authorities had advised vessels to remain in harbor following reports of whales ramming rudders in shallower waters than usual.
Possible Reasons Behind Orca Behavior
Orca interactions with boats were previously rare, but researchers note that this behavior seems to be increasing.
Many biologists speculate the attacks may be driven by boredom or a search for excitement, as the whales appear to deliberately target rudders and hulls.
The unusual frequency of these encounters is putting sailors and authorities on high alert along the Iberian Atlantic coast.