HAHALUA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Yacht damaged by orcas

The 'Hahalua', en route from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands, was attacked by Orcas and suffered damage to its rudders in the vicinity of pos. 35 53 00 N, 005 49 00 W, on Nov 6, 2023, while travelling with main sail, jib and both engines on at 8 knots. By the time the crew saw the orcas, it was less than one minute before they reached the vessel and hit the rudders. The crew threw sand off the stern, but it was too late as the orcas took one rudder off completely just leaving the shaft and more than half of the other. The orcas left just as quickly as they came. The crew organized a steel pipe to bang and flares to shoot, but did not react fast enough. The orcas were really fast and headed straight for the rudder. The vessel reached Tangier at about 12.30 p.m. UTC, the same day for repairs.