Orcas - What would you do if this happened to you?

[Sail Sail]

We've just been hit by a huge orca off the coast of Portugal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8G37WOlgWc

What would you do if this happened to you?

[JPA Cate]

Down sails. Motor in reverse in tight circles till they go away.

[boatman61]

Dig out my Bosuns Call and have a chat with the youngster..

[Iron E]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Dig out my Bosuns Call and have a chat with the youngster..

The Orca Whisperer

[NorthCoastJoe]

I keep wondering if some chain link fence dangling from the stern maybe 6 feet into the water would make them go away. Having it rolled and ready, pop one tie to deploy it. Carry it just for that region of the world only.

Just a wild idea?

[LakeSuperior]

One might try dumping a pail of vinegar off the bow or FWIW a gallon of muratic acid. The acidic blast might discourage their attention as it could mess with their sensitive receptors in the tongue.

Just a thought here, just trying to solve a problem, don't beat me up too bad.

[leecea]

I think a lot is going to depend on how determined they are. I read an account of Orcas killing a Blue Whale and it was amazingly awful how they did it and how long it took.

[LakeSuperior]

Since Orcas use echolocation to locate prey perhaps a sonic blast containing a concentration of energies in the echolocation frequencies would give them pause wrt messing with yachts.

This would be fairly easy to set up and could really discourage these guys. Hang a high powered speaker over the side and let it rip. Or attach transducer to the inside of the hull and broadcast through the fiberglass.

Again just trying to solve a problem.

[trswem]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Down sails. Motor in reverse in tight circles till they go away.

Interesting, why reverse?

[JPA Cate]

They can't swim backwards. It's basically a way to discourage them by taking the "fun" out of it, and not only sailboats, but the local fishermen use reverse for that reason when the orcas get interested. It is not solely sailboats with spade rudders who have been interfered with but much of the local traffic.

Ann

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Since Orcas use echolocation to locate prey perhaps a sonic blast containing a concentration of energies in the echolocation frequencies would give them pause wrt messing with yachts.

This would be fairly easy to set up and could really discourage these guys. Hang a high powered speaker over the side and let it rip. Or attach transducer to the inside of the hull and broadcast through the fiberglass.

Again just trying to solve a problem.

This idea has a high likelihood of damaging the whale's hearing, perhaps permanently. Which would likely be fatal, so folks, please don't do this.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Since Orcas use echolocation to locate prey perhaps a sonic blast containing a concentration of energies in the echolocation frequencies would give them pause wrt messing with yachts.

This would be fairly easy to set up and could really discourage these guys. Hang a high powered speaker over the side and let it rip. Or attach transducer to the inside of the hull and broadcast through the fiberglass.

Again just trying to solve a problem.

This is the principle behind setting off fireworks and sonic pingers.

This practice appears to be widespread, but the success, or otherwise, is hard to accurately gauge, as few are willing to publicly discuss these techniques.

[flpaoli]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Since Orcas use echolocation to locate prey perhaps a sonic blast containing a concentration of energies in the echolocation frequencies would give them pause wrt messing with yachts.

This would be fairly easy to set up and could really discourage these guys. Hang a high powered speaker over the side and let it rip. Or attach transducer to the inside of the hull and broadcast through the fiberglass.

Again just trying to solve a problem.

What about something milder but similar, so no whale goes deaf as Lake-Effect fears?

Maybe a DIY battery-powered circuit with one of those very small irritating tweeters, housed inside a floating sphere, that you can turn on, throw in the water to distract them?

Cheap enough so you can make or buy a few and carry them as Orca counter measures?

[Alistair242]

Pingers are used to make dolphins aware of fishing nets and enables them to avoid them. The only purpose they serve with the orcas is to let other nearby animals know where you are. The Iberian Orcas surely know what they are and are not deterred.
What I would suggest people do is to follow the official recommendations and stay on the 20m contour in that area or any area where the orcas may be.

[JPA Cate]

What I would suggest people do is to follow the official recommendations and stay on the 20m contour in that area or any area where the orcas may be.

Hi, Alistair242, could you please state the document(s) that comes from? Maybe a link? I'm wondering, what's magic about 20 m.? Maybe the fish the orcas normally want to eat prefer a different environment? Is there documentation of the 20 m. depth vs. the whales' behavior? Thanks very much, in advance.

Ann