In the Mediterranean Sea, a yacht valued at $128,000 was attacked and capsized by a group of killer whales. Reports indicate that the crew was startled by the orcas’ well-coordinated assault, which lasted around two hours.
According to The New York Post, just 22 hours into their 10-day voyage from Vilamoura, Portugal, to Greece, Robert Powell, 59, and his crew spotted the killer whales approaching. Known for their intelligence and curiosity, the orcas exhibited aggressive behavior, violently crashing into the yacht. Around 8 pm, five orcas encircled the 39-foot sailing boat and took turns attacking it.
“Whilst I was looking around the boat to see if I could see anything — I was doing about 5 to 6 knots — it got hit again. On the second hit, I looked over the back of the boat, and I could see the dark shape of a killer whale in the water. They were circling. It was like watching wolves hunt. They were taking turns coming in — sometimes two would come in at the same time and hit it. So obviously pretty terrifying,” Powell told The New York Post.
After approximately 15 strikes, the sailboat became unsteerable as the pod initially targeted the rudder. The orcas then began systematically attacking different parts of the boat’s exterior; one focused on the keel, another on the stern, and others on various exposed areas.
The crew, taken aback by the ferocity of the attack, tried unsuccessfully to steer the vessel away from the whales. The orcas displayed an extraordinary level of aggression, appearing intent on sinking the yacht. Just before the sailboat sank 130 feet into the Mediterranean, a Spanish recovery craft intervened and rescued the crew.
