A terrible event occurred in the Strait of Gibraltar when the sailing yacht SV Alboran Cognac collided with a pod of orcas and met a tragic end.
The sad event happened at roughly nine a.m. local time when the two-person crew of the SV Alboran Cognac came into contact with orcas about 14 miles off Cape Spartel. The orcas hit the ship, seriously damaging the hull and rudder and resulting in a water leak. The passing oil tanker, MT Lascaux, responded quickly, issued an emergency call for evacuation, and successfully rescued both crew members. Nevertheless, the yacht finally succumbed to the ocean and disappeared completely.
Due to these dangerous encounters, marine officials recommend using caution when travelling through seas from the Gulf of Cádiz to the Strait of Gibraltar, particularly from May to August, when orca sightings are most common. Orca behaviour is unpredictable, as evidenced by past events where repeated collisions have damaged vessels. The growing number of these encounters has led scholars and sailors to investigate the reasons underlying these conflicts in greater detail.
Efforts to mitigate risks have included unconventional tactics such as playing thrash metal music to deter orcas. Despite these measures, reports indicate increased interactions between orcas and humans, with documented incidents more than tripling in recent years. However, recent data suggests a potential shift in orca behavior, with fewer recorded interactions in specific regions compared to previous years.
Collaborative efforts between sailors, researchers, and maritime authorities are essential in mitigating risks and ensuring safe navigation through these regions frequented by these apex predators.