Orca — Strait of Gibraltar

ORCA — STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

AVOID

• Check GT Orcas immediately before departure
• Avoid locations of interactions during preceding 24–48 h
• Favor safe shallow coastal route along Spain
• Don't turn SW for Canaries until clear of current activity

ENCOUNTER

• AUTOPILOT OFF
• HANDS OFF WHEEL
• Crew safe / away from sides
• VHF 16 — Salvamento / Tarifa Traffic
• Record GPS position/time
• Head toward safe shallow water if conditions permit
• Monitor rudder/steering compartment for flooding
• Prepare emergency steering
• If steering compromised → MAYDAY/PAN-PAN as appropriate
• After interaction: inspect rudder/steering thoroughly before continuing offshore

• AUTOPILOT OFF immediately. This is important. Don't let the H5000/AP drive fight violent rudder movement. A whale manipulating Nellie's Alpha rudder could transmit enormous loads through the steering system and autopilot drive. The CA specifically recommends disconnecting the autopilot. CAArticle
• Hands OFF the wheel / lash if possible to winches. Don't try to overpower the rudder. Nobody stands behind or immediately adjacent to the wheel. If an orca snaps the rudder sideways, the wheel can move violently enough to injure someone. CAArticle
• Call immediately: "Tarifa Traffic / Salvamento, sailing vessel Nellie, orca interaction…" Give position, course, speed and number of animals. VHF 16 is the primary emergency contact; around Gibraltar/Tarifa, Tarifa Traffic is Ch 10 (Ch 67 if busy). Salvamento MarítimoArticle

• Crew inside/centerline and clipped in if anyone must be outside. Keep people away from the rails and anything that could move violently.

• If conditions and sea room permit, follow the current Spanish recommendation: motor toward shallow coastal water. Ecological Transition MinistryArticle

• Watch the rudder compartment/bilge immediately. Crew member to inspect the steering/rudder area for water ingress
• If the rudder is being violently manipulated and continuing under power appears to be increasing the loads, I'd be prepared to abandon the "motor away" strategy and go to the GTOA approach: neutral, sails depowered, autopilot off, rudder free.