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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 5:49:37 GMT -7
On their approach to Gibraltar this afternoon, Team JAJO encountered a pod of orcas which led to a scary moment on board the VO65! Thankfully, the crew and the boat are unharmed. The Dutch boat skippered by Jelmer van Beek is now back on its way to Genova.
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 5:51:10 GMT -7
  Sailing boat attacked by orcas: 'Very impressive' The Dutch sailing team JAJO became the target of three killer whales during a leg of the Ocean Race on Thursday. The animals targeted the rudders of the sailing yacht, as can be seen on video footage from the team. Fortunately, the damage was limited and the team was soon able to sail again.
When the orcas attacked, the sailing team was in second place in the leg from The Hague to Genoa. At that time they were just off the Strait of Gibraltar, where collisions between killer whales and sailing yachts have been frequent lately. 'It was very impressive to see the orcas. Really beautiful animals, but we also realized that it was dangerous', says skipper and Hagenaar Jelmer van Beek.
The attack lasted only fifteen minutes. Video footage from the boat shows how the orcas effortlessly keep up with the sailing yacht and bang their heads against the rudders. To scare off the animals, the crew started making noise themselves. Eventually the orcas turned back.According to an Ocean Race spokesperson, both the orcas and the crew are known to be unharmed in the sudden attack. "As far as we can tell, the boat is also damage-free, but you can imagine that we were not able to carry out a full check." According to the spokesman, the boat will be thoroughly checked upon arrival in Genoa, 'but before we get there it will be Tuesday or Wednesday already.'
Brend Schuil, on-board reporter aboard Team JAJO, said the team was already taking into account possible orca attacks. “So we had discussed what we would do if such a situation were to arise. The whole crew reacted calmly and professionally and luckily I had my gear ready so I was able to get some footage.'Lost second placeThe attack did put the team behind in the race. “We were second and now we are fourth. Hopefully we can make up for the backlog,' says Van Beek hopefully. |
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 5:55:50 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 5:58:56 GMT -7
It comes after a French-flagged Oceanis 393, with four crew on board, sank following an ingress of water caused by orcas pulling off the rudder, 14 miles west of Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
The Mayday call was made at 1205 on 1 November, and Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC Lisboa) tasked the Viana do Castelo Lifeguard Station crew to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was found that the sailors had been rescued from a liferaft by a nearby cruiser, they did not need medical assistance. The stricken vessel later sank, and the lifeboat crew collected pieces of wreckage.
No source of pollution was detected at the site.
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:00:31 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:01:45 GMT -7
While filming orcas, Steve Backshall witnessed them hunting and killing prey, but not for food. He explains why they do this and how he’s processed this disturbing behaviour.
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:09:39 GMT -7
Off the Coast from Porto, Portugal, Southern Europe
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:11:21 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:15:28 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:17:01 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:21:58 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:22:54 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:23:57 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:25:51 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jun 23, 2023 6:27:43 GMT -7
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