The Orca Run - How to Avoid a Killer Whale Attack
27 June 2023 · 9 min · 19K views · Barbate, Spain
What this video covers
To avoid potential orca interactions while transiting from Lagos towards the Strait of Gibraltar, a delivery crew adopts a strategy of staying inside the 20-metre depth contour.1:58 After receiving a VHF report of an orca attack on the sailing yacht Imagine in 60 to 70 metres of water, the crew alters course to shallow coastal waters.1:49 This tactic requires navigating through dense concentrations of lobster pots and fish farms, which often lack flashing lights at night, though some transmit AIS signals.6:07 The crew maintains a two-man watch to monitor for both marine life and navigational hazards.2:20 Despite reports of multiple attacks and sightings in the region, the vessel completes the passage without encountering orcas.7:18 The crew notes that while the strategy of hugging the coast avoids deep-water zones where attacks are frequently reported, the effectiveness of this approach remains unproven. Navigating shallow coastal waters introduces significant risks from unlit fishing gear and heavy trawler traffic.
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