Orcas Attack Two Boats Off Portugal’s Coast, Crew Rescued

Lisbon, Portugal – A pod of orcas attacked two boats on Saturday afternoon, causing one vessel to sink and damaging another off the coast near Lisbon. The incident occurred approximately five nautical miles from Fonte da Telha beach, where five people were onboard the yacht Oceanview when orcas struck.

Footage from a nearby boat shows the orcas repeatedly hitting the yacht, leading to its sinking. According to a statement from the Portuguese sailing school Terra Incógnita, the orcas broke the yacht’s rudder, allowing water to flood in. The crew on a nearby boat attempted to tow Oceanview but ultimately had to rescue its crew when the tow failed.

Fortunately, all five sailors were reported to be physically well and did not need medical assistance, according to Portuguese coastguard officials. Meanwhile, rescue teams from Lisbon and the Cascais Lifeguard Station responded to the second incident involving another boat off the Bay of Cascais, about 20 kilometers northeast of Fonte da Telha. Four people on that tourist vessel also received aid.

Since 2020, there have been at least seven reported sinkings attributable to orca attacks along the Iberian Peninsula, with over 250 boats damaged in total. The frequency of orca interactions has sparked concern, with 700 recorded incidents since 2020. Notably, 207 encounters occurred in 2023 alone, although reports suggest a decline in 2024 and early 2025 due to guidelines advising sailors to avoid orca hotspots and stick to shallower waters.

Most of the boats targeted by the orcas are small yachts. After damaging the vessels, the orcas typically swim off, seemingly having no intent to sink the boats otherwise. Research indicates the orcas involved in these attacks belong to a small population that follows the migratory patterns of Atlantic bluefin tuna, their primary food source.

One identified orca, a young female known as ‘White Gladis,’ has been noted for her repeated appearances in these confrontations. Experts initially speculated that her actions were a form of revenge for an injury, but some now believe the behavior may be playful, as the orcas lose interest after breaking a boat’s rudder.

‘They’re pushing, pushing, pushing – boom! It’s a game,’ said representatives from the conservation group CIRCE, describing the orcas’ behavior as not malicious but rather instinctual play.