Boats off Spain damaged in orca encounters

Vessels off Galicia warned to keep away after Spanish navy yacht and French boat damaged

Maritime authorities in Spain have warned sailors off the coast of Galicia to give orcas a wide berth after a naval yacht lost part of its rudder following a brush with two of the whales and a similar incident left a French boat with minor damage.

Both encounters took place hours apart on Sunday in the Rias Baixas area of north-west Spain. The French boat was found to have marks consistent with the orcas rubbing against its hull, while the Mirfak - a Spanish naval yacht en route to a regatta - lost part of its rudder after the boat attracted the animals' attention.