A killer whale breaks out of the water.
A killer whale severely damaged a boat off the southern coast of Spain on May 25, the Spanish maritime rescue agency said, one of dozens of attacks on ships by killer whales this year off the coast of Spain and Portugal.
Early on May 25, a group of killer whales rammed the Mustique as the ship was en route to Gibraltar. The collision damaged the rudder and punctured the hull. According to a spokesman for the maritime rescue agency, the Mustique’s four-member crew had to contact Spanish authorities for help.
A fast response vessel and a helicopter carrying bilge pumps were deployed to assist the Mustique, a 20-metre British-flagged vessel, the spokesman added. The Mustique has been towed to the port of Barbate, in the Spanish province of Cadiz, for repairs.
The latest collision follows at least 20 encounters between small vessels and killer whales in the Strait of Gibraltar this month alone, according to GTOA, a research group that monitors Iberian killer whale populations. GTOA data also shows that in 2022, there were 207 recorded interactions.
In early May, the Alboran Champagne was also rammed by three killer whales three nautical miles off Cadiz. The ship was completely submerged and could not be towed for repairs, so it was sunk offshore.
Spain's Ministry of Transport has issued guidance that whenever ships notice a change in killer whale behaviour - such as a sudden change in direction or speed - they should leave the area as soon as possible and avoid disturbing the whales during the passage.
Spain's Ministry of Transport also requires vessels to report any interactions they have with killer whales to authorities.
Despite their scary-sounding name, killer whales are endangered and a species of dolphin. They can grow up to 8 meters long and weigh up to 6 tons when fully grown.
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