Orcas appear to have sunk a sailboat- what now?

[AJAL]

Opening up a discussion about new level of serious risk as reported in this link. The official line is that this species of Orcas are protected and if an interaction occurs, do nothing. There have been many interactions with serious damage, this is the first report of sinking.

https://www.portugalresident.com/fiv...f-sines-coast/

[gonesail]

killer whales .. I wonder when they develop a taste for humans.

[landsend]

Yes, killers of whales. We just don't taste that good.

[Franziska]

Fund the research to understand why they do it substantially. Then use the know how gained to develop efficient methods to repell the behavior.

Don't just kill them. The problem will not be solved this way.

It's their habitat not ours.

I write this sitting on a boat at anchor in Viveiro northern Spain.
Yes, it's uncomfortable to think about it, but all over the risk to have your boat sunk by them is fairly small.

Of course I would be angry if we were to be attacked ourselves, but hey, cruising is a risky thing and this is one more risk to accept.
I'm going along with the line that smaller boats are attacked because they can "see" results from it which they won't get attacking a ship.
We are colateral from overfishing tuna and the like.

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Fund the research to understand why they do it substantially. Then use the know how gained to develop efficient methods to repell the behavior.

Don't just kill them. The problem will not be solved this way.

It's their habitat not ours.

This. So much THIS!!!!


Why do we (as humans) have to "fix" every perceived problem by destroying whatever we think is to blame?

[boatman61]

Fibreglass rudders don't hurt the teeth like steel ones do..

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Fibreglass rudders don't hurt the teeth like steel ones do.. [emoji3]

:-) good one.

[nwdiver]

Maybe I should sell a hydro speaker and hunting vocalizations of a 6 member transient BC pod I have, that should scare off any group of Orcas.

Secondly I wonder if anyone has tried this and if the Orcas which have been identified as adolescent bands would react to these vocalizations.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by nwdiver

Maybe I should sell a hydro speaker and hunting vocalizations of a 6 member transient BC pod I have, that should scare off any group of Orcas.

Secondly I wonder if anyone has tried this and if the Orcas which have been identified as adolescent bands would react to these vocalizations.

Now that's sounds like a more reasonable approach,than the 'killem call some favor.

Could be worth a try. Not sure what science would say to this approach.

Don't we have a marine biologist in our forum?

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by nwdiver

Maybe I should sell a hydro speaker and hunting vocalizations of a 6 member transient BC pod I have, that should scare off any group of Orcas.

Secondly I wonder if anyone has tried this and if the Orcas which have been identified as adolescent bands would react to these vocalizations.

There are commercially available devises, also illegal in Spain waters.


https://britishmarine.co.uk/News/202...dation-Devices

[goboatingnow]

r clarification of the legal protection of killer whales afforded by the Sjpanish Government was made by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association).
In response the Spanish Government’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) provided the following information.
"All cetaceans present in Spanish waters are protected by the Habitats Directive and by Law 42/2007, of December 13, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity,” which “forbids any action carried out with the purpose of killing, capturing, persecuting or disturbing them.”
MITECO additionally stated “Furthermore, the approach by boat to cetaceans is regulated by Royal Decree 1727/2007, of December 21, which establishes measures for the protection of cetaceans. In its article 4, this royal decree lists several actions that are considered to be able to harm, annoy or disturb cetaceans, so they are forbidden.”
Article 4 of the Royal Decree 1727/2007 states that it is illegal to “Produce noises and loud or shrill sounds to try to attract them or drive them away, including the emission of sounds underwater”.
MITECO also indicated that, under Spanish legislation “using an engine and propeller to reverse a boat towards an orca, the use of “noise makers”, “pingers” Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADD) attached to boats, and throwing of pyrotechnics, flares, etc at approaching whales, are forbidden by Spanish law

This is a protected species

[Franziska]

If one were to play sound to deter in case one is really "attacked" were is a suitable audio file available? Anyone has something to share? YouTube?

I am all for protecting them and adhering to the laws, but if really under attack I would contemplate playing some inconvenient sounds via a miniboombox held against the underwater from inside.

Not saying I would, but in really dire circumstances I would perhaps do it.

What I would absolutely not do is to try to harm them physically.
I am strongly opposed to guns, knifes or anything along those lines.

[landsend]

Rap music? Makes me move away in a hurry.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by landsend

Rap music? Makes me move away in a hurry.

Not good..
Rap attracts violence, one just has to look at the increasing amount of Rappers and DJ's who have had violent deaths..
Classical would be better..

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Classical would be better..

No not opera!!!


Maybe a nice sonata will lull them into less aggressive behaviour.
let us know if it works.