Spanish coastguard bans small sailboats after damage from orcas | Reuters
▻https://fr.reuters.com/article/spain-sailing-killerwhales-idINKCN26F34Z
Reuters/Mike Blade/File Photo
Sailing enthusiasts are going to need a bigger boat if they want to sail off Spain’s northwestern tip after killer whales damaged yachts.
Several incidents involving orcas and small sailboats have been reported off the Galician shore near La Coruna since Aug. 19, the Transport Ministry said. No one was hurt.
On Wednesday it banned boats under 15 meters (49 ft) long from taking to sea for at least a week off a land segment of about 90 km (56 miles) between Cape Prioriño Grande and Point Estacas de Bares.
The orcas have bumped the boats’ hulls and rudders, causing damage that in some cases has led to the coastguard having to tow boats back to shore. The ban could be extended if the cetaceans remain in the area.