Killer whales have struck again off the coast of Spain, this time attacking a sailboat near O Roncudo in the rocky region of Galicia. On Sunday, the orcas damaged the rudder of the vessel, Amidala, prompting a difficult rescue mission in treacherous conditions. The Spanish maritime rescue service received a distress call from the two Belgian crew members around 4 p.m. GMT. Despite sailing under the Finnish flag, they found themselves in the dangerous waters of Cape Finisterre, where high waves and strong winds complicated the rescue effort.
Rescue teams battled adverse weather for hours, enduring waves up to 10 feet and winds reaching 40 miles per hour. Eventually, the Amidala was located, and a tow was arranged to bring the boat to Camariñas port. However, during the process, one of the crew members, a woman, sustained a serious hand injury and had to be airlifted to safety. The towing mission continued, and the boat was docked just before 9:30 p.m.
The rescue was praised by Manuel Capeáns, who heads the Cape Finisterre rescue center, for the determination of both the crew and the rescue team.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of orca attacks on sailboats in the region. In May, a yacht sank after killer whales rammed into it in the Strait of Gibraltar, and numerous similar incidents have been reported across the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula. According to the GTOA research group, orca interactions with vessels have surged in recent years, with reports more than tripling. However, a recent decrease in such interactions was noted earlier this year.
Sailors have tried various methods to deter the orcas, from throwing sand into the water to playing loud music, but the attacks continue to raise concern among the sailing community.
