Overview

• Salvamento Marítimo and the Guardia Civil responded Thursday to a cluster of orca interactions off Costa da Vela, north of the Cíes, where the animals came unusually close to the rocks near Cabo Home.
• The German-flagged sailboat Ávila lost its rudder after repeated impacts and was towed to the Real Club Náutico de Vigo by the Salvamar Mirach.
• At least three sailboats were affected, including the Nemo, as a Guardia Civil patrol boat escorted traffic and issued a securité broadcast to warn nearby vessels.
• A German crew described losing steering control for about 45 minutes before rescue, while authorities reiterated guidance to keep vessels moving, head toward shallower coastal waters, and report interactions on VHF 16.
• Researchers note this localized spike contrasts with an 80% reduction in recorded interactions in the Strait of Gibraltar, a decline attributed to real-time monitoring and adherence to routing advice; the use of deterrents that could harm cetaceans is prohibited.