A dramatic video captured the harrowing moment a boat was deliberately targeted and sunk by a group of killer whales. The unsettling incident occurred on September 13, leading to the yacht’s submersion and the rescue of its occupants.

Footage circulating online depicted a sailboat affiliated with the Nautic Squad Club under relentless assault by orcas, resulting in the vessel being repeatedly struck until it began to list and ultimately sink. Five individuals were on board the yacht in Portugal during the sinking, all of whom were successfully rescued by nearby boats and lifeguards from the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.

The same pod of orcas was reportedly involved in another attack on a separate yacht off Cascais, causing damage but not sinking the vessel. All individuals on the second boat were also rescued. Portuguese coastal authorities were notified of the initial incident around 12.30pm and promptly dispatched rescue teams in response.

Observers and experts caution against attributing malicious intent to the orcas’ actions, suggesting that their behavior may stem from curiosity or playfulness rather than aggression. Nevertheless, the forceful and repetitive strikes could result in substantial damage to even large maritime structures.

The event has raised concerns among local sailors and boating communities, prompting calls for enhanced guidelines, early warning systems, and protective measures for yacht owners operating in areas known for orca activity. Marine biologists are closely monitoring these interactions to gain insights into the behavior and mitigate potential future incidents.

Despite being known as ‘killer whales,’ no documented cases exist of wild orcas causing fatalities to humans. Fatal incidents involving captive orcas have been recorded since the 1990s, with the orca Tilikum from Sea World being implicated in several.

While historically feared by sailors for their whale-hunting prowess, orcas are unlikely to pose direct threats to humans but can pose risks to watercraft. Interactions between orcas and boats have been increasing, with experts attributing such behavior to playful tendencies, boredom, or learned behavior within specific orca subpopulations.

The seemingly aggressive nature of these interactions is not indicative of hunting behavior towards humans. Other hypotheses suggest territorial instincts or frustration caused by boat noise disrupting the orcas’ communication signals as potential factors influencing these encounters.