Even in a sleepy port on the south bank of the Gironde, some days the world comes to you :
Roger, from Chatham, aboard his Westerly Konsort Katy-Dee, hails me from across the dock. (Sister ship pictured, under UK lighting conditions). He too is bound north and looking for a weather window in which to do so. We pore over the forecasts together. Swapping 'sailor's tales' as we go. Throwing out options for ports of call.
Daryl and Shirley, who overwintered in Chatham, aboard their Bavaria 42 Dream Catcher, text. They have pressed on south, down the coast of Portugal. Keeping well offshore, in deep water, and have arrived safely in Lagos.
The rogue, rudder wrecking, Gladys Orca pod (in all likelihood joined by others, which have learned their destructive ways) have ‘interacted’ with yachts on this stretch of coast, within the past few days. Turning the risk traffic lights, of the Orca Iberica monitoring service, red and amber. The red triggered by the first sinking of a yacht, following an ‘interaction,’off Sines. Prompting Daryl and Shirley to give the area a wide berth.
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Orca pods, resident in the Straits of Gibraltar, generally leave it toward the end of August. Following the tuna, as they migrate north to Cape Finisterre. Occasionally straying along the north coast of Spain. This year the resident Orca have left early. Just as a wave of cruisers heads south, along the western coasts of Spain and Portugal. Bound for a summer in the Rias, winter in the Mediterranean; or a classic Atlantic trade-wind crossing to the Caribbean.
The Cruising Association is inviting reports from crews on passage through the area. In an attempt to build up a picture of factors which may provoke, or deter, unwanted attention from the aberrant apex predators.
Picture Credits
Westerly Konsort courtesy of Yachting Monthly
Lagos harbour courtesy of Nonplus ultra holiday rentals
Orca traffic light map courtesy of Orcaiberica.org
Orca migration map courtesy of BBC News
Orca interaction report distribution map courtesy of The Cruising Association
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