Orca attacks damage two sailboats off A Coruña, Spain

Two sailboats sailing near the Torre de Hércules off the coast of A Coruña lost their steering after being struck by orcas. The first vessel, about nine nautical miles from the lighthouse, lost its rudder and required assistance from the regional maritime rescue service, Salvamento Marítimo. A rescue boat, Salvamar Betelgeuse, secured a tow while the orcas continued to bang the hull, prompting the deployment of the Guardia Civil patrol vessel Río Jallas. The rescue crew escorted the boat to port, where a Red Cross zodiac helped it dock.

A second incident occurred later the same evening roughly eight to nine nautical miles from the same landmark. The skipper also reported a loss of steering due to the cetaceans but managed to regain control and bring the vessel into harbour without external aid.