ORCAS @ PORTUGAL & SPAIN

Recommendations ( DO's & DON'TS)

Disclaimer: 

orcas.pt is not responsible for any decision of the skipper based on these recommendations and for the consequences. These recommendations (Do's & Don'ts) are detailed in orcas discussions Telegram groups. 

This site is a help for people about the do's and don'ts relation with the orcas; it should be read as a complement to other information. For more details, I recommend you to be a member of orcas.pt. 

DO'S

• Use motor if you are in a hotspot area. 

• Always within the safety limits and characteristics of each vessel sail in shallow waters means following the 20 m bathymetric (depth contour line) or less.

• If you spot an orca or are attacked by an orca, inform the MRCC, the authorities and the sailors around using your boat radio.

• Remember that there is no zero (0) risk.

• Be informed !

• There are sites like orcas.pt, there are apps, and there are updated maps. There is a lot of information that you can read about the orcas and the incidents with boats.

• Train the crew for an orca situation, to how to react. A well-prepared crew can respond in a better way.

DON'TS

• Stay away from sailing during the night in areas where you know that there are orcas.

• Based on scientific research and conclusions, Spanish Authorities recommend you NOT to stop if you are attacked or spot an orca. (here)

• Boats that stopped were attacked until the rudder was destroyed, some for hours, only after orcas quit.

• Boats that never stopped were attacked and followed for minutes by orcas, and soon, orcas quit to return to the leading group. More details in orcas discussion groups (for orcas.pt members)