dhill
Member III
Several sailboat cruising channels (SailLife, Sailing Project Atticus, etc.) have mentioned that Orcas are attacking sailboat rudders. I have heard of several sailboats incapacitated by broken rudders, but this is the first instance I've heard of a boat actually sinking. Apparently, scientists believe this behavior is learned and limited (for the moment) to the pod of juvenile whales off of Portugal playing with rudders as a game. I have heard reports of Orca ramming rudders off Portugal, but in this case, it looks like the rudder was chewed off.
I hope this isn't an ongoing trend or one that spreads to other pods. Otherwise, if you are near Portugal, be careful to check where Orca incidents have recently occurred.
Dave