Yacht Sinks After Orca Attack in Strait of Gibraltar

An orca attack has sunk another yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, continuing a strange trend of orca attacks in the narrow strait.

An orca attack sank S/Y Bonhomme William, a Beneteau 393, in the Strait of Gibraltar in the evening of Wednesday, July 24. A pod of five orcas attacked the sailing vessel around 8 p.m. according to Capt. Robert Powell, captain of Bonhomme William.

“My lovely boat has been sunk off the coast of Spain,” Powell wrote in a Facebook post. “They split the hull above the keel and at the rear by the rudder.”

Powell and his two crewmembers originally contacted Spanish authorities for a tow after the initial orca attack left the vessel with an inoperative steering system. Spanish authorities began preparing rescue boat Salvamar Enif for the tow until they were contacted by Bonhomme William’s crew again with news that the orcas had returned for more interaction, causing the vessel to take on water.

Bonhomme William lost its waterline by the time Salvamar Enif arrived, causing the crew to launch their life raft. Fortunately, Powell and his crew were rescued with no injuries. Spanish authorities collected contaminating liquids, a radio beacon, the life raft, flares, and watched the vessel sink before taking the crew to Barbate.

“My training worked well, I was calm, organized, and purposeful,” Powell wrote in a Facebook comment. “That was then, now I am a bit traumatized.”

Orcas sinking yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar has become an unusual trend in the past year. A 15.75-meter sailing yacht named Alboran Cognac was attacked in May, sinking the vessel as well. Scientists have speculated that it may be a game for the orcas, but Powell disagrees.

“Sadly, these ones were not playing, it was a well-orchestrated and organized attack to sink my boat,” Powell responded in a Facebook comment depicting the attacks as a game by the orcas.

Images by Robert Powell.