Killer whales launch ‘orchestrated’ attacks on sailing boats

[B23iL23]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5s8...amaransAmerica

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Supercat568

12 gage shotgun..problem solved.

Obviously never had a 30ft Orca and his buddies circle your boat..

[owly]

Makes kick up rudders look like a very good idea! I'd be concerned about a long fin keel considering the consequences when one is torn loose from the hull.


The above encounter looks fairly benign... at least as far as intent. More playing than being threatening. Something that big can inadvertently do considerably damage being "playful".


Electricity seems to me like it probably would be the most effective deterrent. It's effective against most creatures. An ordinary electric fencer packs a pretty good wallop, and many run on 12 volt, outputting low current pulses in the thousands..... they would also be good for repelling boarders.... Leave the boat with the lifelines & toerails, etc hot, and a way to shut it off before coming aboard.

[Cadence]

Stay off their turf. They may be smarter than we at. You don't suppose some AH has prevoced this type of action?
Poluton an AH with a 12ga. thinking he was shooting skeet?
An intelligent mamal exhibiting this action never previous exhibited and not appearing to be more than a warning. Maybe not taking any offensive action would be the ticket.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Stay off their turf. They may be smarter than we at. You don't suppose some AH has prevoced this type of action?
Poluton an AH with a 12ga. thinking he was shooting skeet?
An intelligent mamal exhibiting this action never previous exhibited and not appearing to be more than a warning. Maybe not taking any offensive action would be the ticket.

It HAS happened before: off the Galapagos many, many years ago.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

It HAS happened before: off the Galapagos many, many years ago.

There may have been provocation there?

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Cadence

There may have been provocation there?

From the stories of the time, it doesn't seem so. Several boats were sunk. I believe it was attributed to a single bull whale who took serious runs at boats, staving in several.

[Manateeman]

For all of you who are thinking about harpoons, depth charges, bazookas etc...
You might want to see what happened to a guy in Miami who poked a manatee.
Perfect justice.
My manatee friends are still celebrating.
Happy trails to you
Captain Mark and his very happy manatee friends.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

From the stories of the time, it doesn't seem so. Several boats were sunk. I believe it was attributed to a single bull whale who took serious runs at boats, staving in several.

That could well be the case that one bull male did it. He may have been provoked at some prior time and as a result is protecting his pod?

[Supercat568]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Obviously never had a 30ft Orca and his buddies circle your boat..

I'm sure you've had a 30 foot orca and his buddies circling your boat and you're right, I haven't. But if I was in that situation and they appeared aggressive I would certainly have whatever the best method of protection possible in my hands. If the behavior accelerated and it seemed they were more than just curious I'd probably fire a shot into the air, yes, I'd make sure there wasn't anything in the direction I wanted to fire, and hope that would do the trick. I don't hunt, I don't even fish, I don't enjoy injuring fish for my "sport" but I'm not anti fishing either. I would protect my family and friends the best I know while respecting the majestic species of mammal. I've seen them pack hunting seals (no, not in person) and respect their intelligence. I also have a bit of fear if they were slapping and damaging my boat. And yes, if they continued to engage in what appears to me as an attack, I'd shoot. It might be a mistake, but I doubt it. Pretty sure they'd exit the scene. And again..that would be absolutely my last choice and only in desperation and fear for the lives of my family and friends and self. Many users of this forum take things way too seriously. Many users try their best to convince everyone else that they're the most intelligent user. It seems that many users really enjoy picking apart others posts, seemingly trying to start trouble. It's unfortunate that in life, on the docks, at moorings and anchorage, boaters are awesome people, you can't find a better group of people anywhere on earth. But here on this forum many aren't very kind or forgiving at all. They assume the worst, rip you apart, trying to make you look like an idiot for a misspelled or misused word. And again, in real life they'd give you the shirt off their back. What's going on in here?

[Training Wheels]

Doesn’t everyone know the proper way to kill an Orca? You toss a SCUBA tank in his mouth and then shoot the tank. I know this works 100% because I saw it in a movie.....

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Training Wheels

Doesn’t everyone know the proper way to kill an Orca? You toss a SCUBA tank in his mouth and then shoot the tank. I know this works 100% because I saw it in a movie.....

Makes as much sense as some of the ideas posted.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Supercat568

I'm sure you've had a 30 foot orca and his buddies circling your boat and you're right, I haven't. But if I was in that situation and they appeared aggressive I would certainly have whatever the best method of protection possible in my hands. If the behavior accelerated and it seemed they were more than just curious I'd probably fire a shot into the air, yes, I'd make sure there wasn't anything in the direction I wanted to fire, and hope that would do the trick. I don't hunt, I don't even fish, I don't enjoy injuring fish for my "sport" but I'm not anti fishing either. I would protect my family and friends the best I know while respecting the majestic species of mammal. I've seen them pack hunting seals (no, not in person) and respect their intelligence. I also have a bit of fear if they were slapping and damaging my boat. And yes, if they continued to engage in what appears to me as an attack, I'd shoot. It might be a mistake, but I doubt it. Pretty sure they'd exit the scene. And again..that would be absolutely my last choice and only in desperation and fear for the lives of my family and friends and self. Many users of this forum take things way too seriously. Many users try their best to convince everyone else that they're the most intelligent user. It seems that many users really enjoy picking apart others posts, seemingly trying to start trouble. It's unfortunate that in life, on the docks, at moorings and anchorage, boaters are awesome people, you can't find a better group of people anywhere on earth. But here on this forum many aren't very kind or forgiving at all. They assume the worst, rip you apart, trying to make you look like an idiot for a misspelled or misused word. And again, in real life they'd give you the shirt off their back. What's going on in here?

Not trying to rip you apart..
I just stood at the mast in my speedo's and told them "Food wrapped in plastic is ain't good.."
Not sure if it was the statement or the speedo's but they were friendly and socialised for a few days heading off morning's then returning late evenings after I presume a hunt.. then stayed till the morning before heading out again.
A 6ft dorsal looks awesome as it approaches..

[darylat8750]

I'm a "defend myself and family with a firearm " guy. But get real. NOBODY carries a firearm on their boat that would be effective on a 20 foot Orca even if they knew exactly where to shoot. Much less a really big one. Add that the critical target will not only be in several feet of animal but will probably be on the other side of some water. Even a foot water really sucks the energy out of a bullet. Try to avoid pissing them off.

I like the tie yourself to the mast in a speedo approach. Or maybe the most attractive person on the boat... Wait a minute ... What if it is breeding season and the bull wants to add to his harem? Pretty Woman could make things worse instead of better.


I know nothing of the breeding habits of Orcas. I do know Elk. During the rut an elk bull can get very aggressive. I've had several 12+ foot pine trees killed by elk just working out and getting ready for the fights to come. If orcas are like land based mammals I would hate to be in a boat that a big bull orca was using to warm up for defending his harem.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Not trying to rip you apart..
I just stood at the mast in my speedo's and told them "Food wrapped in plastic is ain't good.."
Not sure if it was the statement or the speedo's but they were friendly and socialised for a few days heading off morning's then returning late evenings after I presume a hunt.. then stayed till the morning before heading out again.
A 6ft dorsal looks awesome as it approaches..

Loved The food wrapped in plastic.