Orcas break yacht rudder in second Spain attack within 24 hours

A second sailboat has been damaged by orcas in Spanish waters in less than 24 hours, adding to growing concerns over the unusual behaviour of the endangered Iberian killer whales.

The latest incident happened on Sunday near the northern entrance to the Ría de Vigo in Galicia, where a yacht carrying two crew members reported that a group of orcas had struck the vessel and broken its rudder. Maritime Rescue was alerted shortly after 1pm and dispatched the rescue vessel Salvamar Mirach to assist.

Crew returned safely to port

Fortunately, the yacht did not take on water and its engine remained operational. After inspecting the damage, the crew decided they could continue at a reduced speed while being escorted back to Baiona marina by the rescue team as a precaution. They arrived safely later that afternoon without further incident.

Scientists aboard a nearby research vessel studying the orcas also advised the crew to proceed with caution. The vessel was equipped with reinforced metal rudders designed to withstand interactions with the animals.

Second incident in a day

The encounter follows another orca interaction in Galician waters less than 24 hours earlier, making it the second reported case in a single day. Both incidents involved damage to the steering systems of sailing boats, which has become the hallmark of these encounters.

Since 2020, hundreds of similar interactions have been recorded along the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal. Researchers say the whales almost always focus on the rudder rather than the hull, although the exact reason for the behaviour remains unclear. Theories range from curiosity and play to a learned cultural behaviour within a small group of Iberian orcas.

Ongoing mystery

Despite the dramatic nature of these incidents, there have been no reported human injuries from wild Iberian orca encounters. Authorities continue to advise sailors to follow official guidance when navigating areas where the animals have recently been spotted.

The latest incidents come just days after Spanish authorities confirmed they are investigating suspected gunshot injuries found on “Toñi”, one of the oldest and best-known Iberian orcas, highlighting the growing tensions between marine wildlife and human activity.