yacht animals

May 24, 2023

Why Has a Group of Orcas Suddenly Started Attacking Boats?

Killer whales in a group near Spain and Portugal may be teaching one another to mess with small boats. They sank their third vessel earlier this month

By Stephanie Pappas

A group of three orcas, also known as killer whales, are seen swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar. Individuals in the critically endangered subpopulation have been attacking boats off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

Malcolm Schuyl/Alamy Stock Photo

A trio of orcas attacked a boat in the Strait of Gibraltar earlier this month, damaging it so badly that it sank soon afterward.

The May 4 incident was the third time killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) have sunk a vessel off the coasts of Portugal and Spain in the past three years. The subpopulation of orcas in this region began harassing boats, most often by biting at their rudder, in 2020. Almost 20 percent of these attacks caused enough damage to disable the vessels, says Alfredo López, an orca researcher at the Atlantic Orca Working Group (GTOA), which monitors the Iberian killer whale population. “It is a rare behavior that has only been detected in this part of the world,” he says.

Researchers aren’t sure why the orcas are going after the watercraft. There are two hypotheses, according to López. One is that the killer whales have invented a new fad, something that subpopulations of these members of the dolphin family are known to do. Much as in humans, orca fads are often spearheaded by juveniles, López says. Alternatively, the attacks may be a response to a bad past experience involving a boat.

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The first known incident occurred in May 2020 in the Strait of Gibraltar, an area with heavy boat traffic. Since then GTOA has recorded 505 cases of orcas reacting to boats. Sometimes they simply approached the vessels, and only a fraction of cases involved physical contact, López says. In a study published in June 2022 in Marine Mammal Science , he and his colleagues cataloged 49 instances of orca-boat contact in 2020 alone. The vast majority of the attacks were on sailboats or catamarans, with a handful involving fishing boats and motorboats. The average length of the vessels was 12 meters (39 feet). For comparison, a full-grown orca can be 9.2 meters (30 feet) long.

The researchers found that the orcas preferentially attack the boats’ rudder, sometimes scraping the hull with their teeth. Such attacks often snap the rudder, leaving the boat unable to navigate. In three cases, the animals damaged a boat so badly that it sank: In July 2022 they sank a sailboat with five people onboard. In November 2022 they caused a sailboat carrying four to go down. And finally, in this month’s attack, the Swiss sailing yacht Champagne had to be abandoned, and the vessel sank while it was towed to shore. In all cases, the people onboard were rescued safely.

In 2020 researchers observed nine different individual killer whales attacking boats; it’s unclear if others have since joined in. The attacks tended to come from two separate groups: a trio of juveniles occasionally joined by a fourth and a mixed-aged group consisting of an adult female named White Gladis, two of her young offspring and two of her sisters. Because White Gladis was the only adult involved in the initial incidents, the researchers speculate that she may have become entangled in a fishing line at some point, giving her a bad association with boats. Other adult orcas in the region have injuries consistent with boat collisions or entanglement, López says. “All this has to make us reflect on the fact that human activities, even in an indirect way, are at the origin of this behavior,” he says.

The safe rescue of everyone involved, however, suggests to Deborah Giles that these orcas don’t have malevolent motivations against humans. Giles, science and research director of the Washington State–based nonprofit conservation organization Wild Orca, points out that humans relentlessly harassed killer whales off the coasts of Washington and Oregon in the 1960s and 1970s, capturing young orcas and taking them away for display at marine parks. “These are animals that, every single one of them, had been captured at one point or another—most whales multiple times. And these are whales that saw their babies being taken away from them and put on trucks and driven away, never to be seen again,” Giles says. “And yet these whales never attacked boats, never attacked humans.”

Though it’s possible that the orcas around the Iberian Peninsula could be reacting to a bad experience with a boat, Giles says, it’s pure speculation to attribute that motivation to the animals. The behavior does seem to be learned, she says, but could simply be a fad without much rhyme or reason—to the human mind, anyway. Famously, some members of the Southern Resident orcas that cruise Washington’s Puget Sound each summer and fall spent the summer of 1987 wearing dead salmon on their head. There was no apparent reason for salmon hats to come in vogue in orca circles, but the behavior spread and persisted for a few months before disappearing again. “We’re not going to know what’s happening with this population,” Giles says, referring to the Iberian orcas.

The Iberian orca attacks typically last less than 30 minutes, but they can sometimes go on for up to two hours, according to the 2022 study. In the case of the Champagne, two juvenile killer whales went after the rudder while an adult repeatedly rammed the boat, crew members told the German magazine Yacht . The attack lasted 90 minutes.

The Iberian orca subpopulation is considered critically endangered, with only 39 animals the last time a full census was conducted in 2011. A 2014 study found that this subpopulation follows the migration of their key prey , Atlantic bluefin tuna—a route that puts them in close contact with human fishing, military activities and recreational boating. Maritime authorities recommend that boaters in the area slow down and try to stay away from orcas, López says, but there is no guaranteed way to avoid the animals. He and his colleagues fear the boat attacks will come back and bite the orcas, either because boaters will lash out or because the attacks are dangerous to the animals themselves. “They run a great risk of getting hurt,” López says.

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This $8 Billion Turtle-Shaped Yacht Is Not a Joke

By Katherine McLaughlin

Among many things that weren’t on our Bingo cards for 2022, a giant turtle-shaped yacht—which is also being described as a floating city —is certainly at the top of the list. And yet, here we are. As CNN reported, an Italian design firm, Lazzarini Design Studio , has drafted plans for a massive boat shaped like an oversized tortoise with outstretched flippers. The vessel is so big that it’s not even being called a superyacht , but rather designers have described it as a terayacht. As such, it was given an appropriately big name, Pangeos , a nod to Pangea, the ancient supercontinent that once incorporated almost all of Earth’s landmasses. According to Lazzarini, the ship will be big enough to hold various hotels, apartments, condos, shopping centers, parks, and other amenities for up to 60,000 guests. The yacht will even have ship and aircraft ports so guests can visit when Pangeos isn’t docked near land. Which is helpful since, as of now, the company doesn’t foresee any strict itinerary, but rather expects the turtle to simply coast around the world. 

Many of the amenities and homes are designed around a central town square.

Extending 1,800 feet in length and measuring 2,000 feet at its widest point, the boat is poised to be the largest floating structure ever built. That is, of course, if it does get built, which is a whole other obstacle in and of itself. As the Pangeos website explains, “the terayacht needs a terashipyard,” which doesn’t currently exist. The project requires a yard that is about 200 miles wide and 180 miles long, which also means dredging about 0.4 square miles of the sea with a circular dam. Once the yacht is constructed, the dam can open, flooding the area and essentially launching the vessel. Lazzarini has currently suggested the coast of Saudi Arabia as the ideal location for construction. 

Since the goal is usually to minimize drag, boats don’t usually stray from the standard V shape—and are even less frequently formed like marine animals—but Pangeos ’s flippers are more than just a peculiarity. According to the company, the extremities will capture kinetic energy from the waves, which will allow the boat to cruise perpetually without emissions. The rooftop area would also be equipped with solar panels for additional power, should it be necessary; electric engines are also included in the design.

Within the terraced villa, guests can find houses, buildings, and rooftop terraces, with an upper zone that offers landing of various flying vehicles.

According to the firm, the total cost to build the massive vessel will be nothing short of $8 billion. Construction will also take, at minimum, eight years, and Lazzarini doesn’t expect that this could even begin until 2025. With a hefty price tag and decent wait time, the company has conjured a plan to alleviate both. Designed as an NFT crowdfunding project, the firm is selling “Unreal Estate,” allowing interested buyers to purchase virtual boarding tickets, hotel rooms, and even houses for a metaverse version of the yacht, which the company says will be ready for (virtual) boarding by 2023. 

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• Cars, Jets & Yachts

How the Spectacular Superyacht Scout is Making Waves

Named for one of her owners’ dogs, Scout is a base from which they can explore the world.

By Ellie Brade

In 2019, over 150 brand-new superyachts were delivered; one of the standout designs of the year was the 209-ft yacht Scout , built for owner James Berwind and his partner, Kevin Clark. Named for one of her owners’ beloved dogs, she is set to be a semi-permanent base from which they can explore the world — canine companions  and all.

The story of Scout begins with a simple napkin. “We started with a sketch on a napkin before interviewing any designers,” say Berwind and Clark. “Our wish list was to have a capable, comfortable explorer to travel the world, and we got a long-range ice-classed yacht with ample crew and guest areas, advanced systems for fuel efficiency, telecommunications and responsible waste management.” From the moment of that very first sketch, the couple was extremely hands on throughout every stage of the build, resulting in an incredibly personal yacht. “During the build we were involved 110%, in every aspect of the project,” they say.

Once they’d developed an initial concept for the yacht, a range of designers were approached, with UK-based H2 Yacht Design eventually being commissioned for both the exterior and interior design. “Jonny Horsfield was a fantastic collaborator; he and his team executed our vision impeccably,” say Berwind and Clark. The decision was made to build at Hakvoort Shipyard in the Netherlands; Scout is now the biggest yacht that the 100-year-old yard has built to date.

Scout ’s fun detailing and a quirky design approach, paired with a contemporary and practical layout, make the yacht eminently usable while still bursting with personality. “ Scout ’s design was influenced by Fritz Lang’s Metropolis , the interiors of Jules Verne’s Nautilus submarine, every James Bond villain’s lair, with a touch of Looney Tunes ,” say Berwind and Clark. “Everything about the interior focuses on the outside views with abundant windows and sliding glass walls.”

[See also: Yersin: The Eco Superyacht for Sustainable Explorers]

The sumptuous master bedroom about the superyacht Scout

A sleek interior lounge with maritime-inspired details

Her distinct exterior design pairs hardy explorer capabilities, striking lines and a hint of trawler influence. While this sounds slightly odd on paper, in real life it works in a stunning way. This is a yacht with her own style — inside and out — that turns heads wherever she goes. Distinctive design elements include a high freeboard, exposed tenders in the bow with cut-down bulwarks and integrated forward-sloping windows.

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Her gray hull and white superstructure are complemented by playful pops of yellow. “She is a very unique vessel that really captures the owners’ passion for being on the water and their fun outlook on yachting,” says Captain Kynan McDonald. “It’s been an exciting project to be a part of.”

On board the yacht, in addition to her owners, Scout is able to welcome up to eight guests in four cabins, each with its own nautical-inspired theme. The main deck is a focal guest space, with a beautiful main saloon that includes an LCD ceiling that mirrors the outside scenes. Complementing the main saloon is a large winter garden — a social hub that is perfect for year-round use, thanks to frameless glass panels that provide shelter when needed and retract when not in use, plus full air conditioning.

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The winter garden space features a cocktail bar for sharing fresh beverages and a dining table for 14; it’s no surprise that this is a favorite spot for hosting. Aft of the winter garden is an intimate C-shaped fire pit that’s ideal for gathering around as the sun sets, with atmospheric flames flickering in front of the horizon.

A beautiful private owner’s apartment is accessed via a library studded with nautical-themed artifacts. The apartment is a stylish retreat with multiple spaces including an observation lounge forward — this characterful space includes a hidden bar area within a globe structure, seating around stone-topped tables inset with constellations and a carbon fiber squid sculpture by British artist Alistair Gibson hanging from the ceiling. The owners’ full-beam bedroom suite has two large bathrooms, walk-in closets and frosted full-length windows to port and starboard.

A rear view of the superyacht Scout

The master suite leads out to what the owners affectionately call “Puppy Park,” a custom-designed garden area for their two dogs, Scout and Brio, to enjoy. With their pets set to be on board for long stretches of time, it was very important to design the boat with this specialist usage in mind. “The dogs have their own ‘yard,’ all materials on board are pet-friendly, and all access points, such as the gates, scuppers and door sensors, are ‘puppy proofed,’” say Berwind and Clark. This passion for animals also extended to the construction of the yacht itself. “As animal rights activists, we used no animal-based materials — no fur, no hide, no bone, etc. — on board.”

Above the main deck, the bridge deck is home to the modern bridge, which has sophisticated operating systems and comfortable seating for those wanting to watch the captain at work. This deck also features another very personal space — dubbed the ‘greenhouse’ — which has been designed around the owners’ passion for gardening, and includes its own potting shed, sink and gardening equipment.

Outdoors, a favorite spot has proved to be the vast, multipurpose sundeck. “We live up there with our guests and dogs, and we also love the open fore to aft space,” say Berwind and Clark. The sundeck is an impressive open space, even by superyacht standards, with features including an inviting Jacuzzi and sweeping views across the ocean.

[See also: How Much Does a Yacht Cost to Build?]

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A helipad on the foredeck allows guests to arrive and depart in style by chopper, while an impressive crane ensures easy deployment of the vessel’s two 26-ft tenders. A packed lineup of toys and water equipment ensures that Scout ’s guests can enjoy their ocean playground no matter where they cruise. The yacht’s custom limousine tender, built by Cockwells, has been finished in the same color scheme as Scout and can carry up to 10 guests while reaching a thrilling top speed of 37 knots.

While the average superyacht is used for just six weeks a year, Scout will buck the trend, with her owners hoping to spend up to seven months of the year on board: It will be a true home away from home. “We plan to use Scout as our primary home for the next several years and hope to travel extensively wherever, whenever, with safety as a primary concern,” say Berwind and Clark.

“Bucket list locations include the British Isles, the Far East and Hawaii .” With her ice-classed hull, very little of the world will be off limits, and there is no doubt that her owners are set to enjoy cruising on board just as much as they enjoyed the build process. Scout truly embodies the endless possibilities of custom yacht building where, if you can dream it, it can be made a reality.

A lounge on one of the many decks aboard superyacht Scout

Images: Jeff Brown — Breed Media

[See also: The Best Luxury Yacht Builders in the World]

Ellie Brade

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The superyacht owner's guide to bringing dogs on board

To mark International Dog Day on August 26, BOAT has curated a superyacht owner's guide for bringing dogs on board yachts, complete with advice from experienced superyacht owners on how to keep your furry friends happy at sea.

There is a famous adage warning against working with animals and children but, when it comes to yachting, most would agree the opposite is true. The joys of family time on board have long been championed, but for many travellers adding furry family members to the guest list is what really makes the superyacht experience complete.

Whether it is crew cats prowling below deck or big dogs leaping from beach clubs, most pets adapt well to life at sea. With a little advance planning, the right gear and some expert advice, your pet can accompany you almost anywhere in the world. A quick scan of the sundecks at yachting hotspots today will reveal that the most common superyacht sidekick, especially for celebrity pet owners , is the dog. Adaptable, trainable and fun-loving, a canine can make a wonderful cruising partner.

“There is no greater joy than having your dog on board with you,” says  Sabina Nasser , owner of 42.7 metre  Mondomarine  yacht  Bina . Nasser describes her family as “lifelong dog lovers and owners” and their well-travelled pets regularly join them on board. Two are repeat seafarers: Nasser’s brother’s golden retriever, D’Art (short for D’Artagnan) and Ziggy, her nine-month-old cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle cross). “Ziggy is the boat’s newest mascot,” she says. “My last dog, Boo, a Yorkie, was also a regular at sea. Dogs are fantastic for adding a special energy and fun.”

For Kristin Ducote, not having a dog on board is like leaving a member of the family at home. Ducote and husband Chapman’s long-haired chihuahua, Fleur, accompanies them on longer trips, and they regularly enjoy time with a couple of their relatives’ King Charles spaniels on board too. “Once you see them running and playing on a deserted beach, you’ll know you made the right decision,” she says. “Being on a yachting holiday usually means you have lots of free time for long walks and playing. You have even more time to spend with your pet on your yacht than you do back home.”

It has arguably never been easier to bring your dog along on your travels. “Since the relaxation of pet travel regulations in Europe and North America, it has become quite normal to travel with your pets,” says Siobhan Brade, director of Superyacht Veterinary Service, which provides veterinary and pet travel consultancy for yacht owners, whether it is within Europe or on more complex trips around the world.

Brade's number-one tip is to plan ahead. "The paperwork, visas and vaccinations required very much depend on the places you have been to before," she says. "Some are quite simple, but some are fairly complicated and can take months of planning. The sooner you can start the process the better, to avoid any last-minute panics and costly itinerary changes.” For Brits, things may become more complicated following Brexit, of course, but if you visit your vet at least four months before you plan to travel, they can advise on the best way to proceed.

If you have never been on board with your pet before, Brade advises making sure that they are comfortable travelling first, that they have their sea legs and don’t get stressed by the experience. Every pet is different and not all will immediately take to life on board.

When another owner of a 30-metre sailing yacht first brought her Jack Russell on a cruise almost a decade ago, she would never have guessed just how well he would take to life on the water. “Dobby loves sailing,” she says. “He has joined us since he was a puppy and I can’t imagine not being on board with him any more. He loves to be around people and the action, with the wind in his face. He was even on board at our last regatta, the Barcolana in  Trieste . He is a true sailor.”

Making a yacht pet-friendly is something that many owners do from the outset of the design process. Custom grass patches for pooches to do their business on are quite common, but pet considerations can go even further.  Aquarius , the 92 metre Feadship, features a dog door panel behind the owner’s office desk, for example, while the door sensors on the same yard’s 68 metre  Lady Christine  are positioned at dog height. Add to this extra guard rails, doggy wash stations and even artistic homages to the pet itself, and it’s not unusual for yacht design to thoroughly incorporate the needs of four-legged family members.

“Dogs are a big part of many people’s lives – they become a part of the client’s style of yachting and must be accommodated,” says designer  Tim Heywood , who worked on the 62.4 metre Amels  Madame Kate , named after the owner’s Maltese. Heywood added an extra guard rail to deck edges and stairways, and Kate’s stainless-steel portrait (drawn by Heywood) is the yacht’s logo. He recalls another project where the artistic tribute was slightly less conventional: the client made a replica of his recently deceased German shepherd, which sat as a guard dog at the top of the passerelle.

Peter van der Zanden, head of design and development at  Heesen , says that the primary concern in designing for pets is safety. On the Dutch yard’s 49.8 metre  Monaco Wolf , a project that was adjusted for the owner’s dogs, the space between the railings is protected by glass or grilles, for example, and there are also extra-small staircase gates. Specially conceived swim platforms also make life easier and safer for pets.  Roberto Cavalli’s  yacht  Freedom  saw designer  Tommaso Spadolini  create a large gangway with steps that can be lowered into the water, allowing the owner’s two German shepherds, Lupo and Lapa, to swim safely.

This kind of adjustment is not a prerequisite though. “Our carpets are white, our sofas are white,  Bina  is a very white boat,” laughs Nasser. “She’s not especially suited to dogs. We, of course, take safety measures to make sure there are no dog overboard situations, but we didn’t make any special compromises on the interior design.” From doggy life jackets to temporary gates, Ducote assures that there are a whole host of things you can do to make a trip safer for your dog without installing special features.

Ask anyone who owns both a yacht and a dog and they will tell you that, ultimately, the key to your pup’s happiness on board lies with the crew. From regular teeth brushing and walks on remote sandbars, to special meals, handmade toys and swimming lessons, nothing is too much.

The crew of 55 metre Amels  Gene Machine  found themselves with their first dog on board last summer, the owners’ daughter’s Pomeranian called Versace. “We had to win over his trust and make sure he was safe at all times,” says Emma McDonald, chief stewardess on board. “Most of my day was centred around him and his needs. I think I speak for everyone when I say it’s hard not to smile when a fluffy little puppy comes running up to you wanting a cuddle. The deck crew gave him swimming lessons, he went jet-surfing, jet-skiing and paddleboarding. But his favourite thing was sunbathing in the inflatable giant unicorn or flamingo.” By the end of his two-month trip, Versace knew his way round the boat and could often be found in the galley enjoying morsels of Wagyu beef from the chef, or cuddled up with crew members for naps, bringing new meaning to the phrase “it’s a dog’s life”.

“Our crew loved the animal diversion,” says Delisa Mayer, who with her husband, Tony, and three children took their four-year-old Labrador Levi (and 13-inch bearded dragon Pu) around the world on board  The Big Blue .  “Staff often spend hours doing manual labour or long watches, so to be with Levi or Pu was a nice break from the normal routine.”

High on the list of crew duties when dogs are on board is “business time”, whether this is toilet training or making RIB rides ashore for toilet breaks. While every dog is different and will have a preferred scenario, the logistics of life at sea often mean that it isn’t always possible to find land. Puppy pads or “grass” patches allow dogs, both large and small, to do their business on board during longer periods at sea – but this obviously requires a bit of co-operation. The Mayers began training Levi while they were still in Fort Lauderdale, three weeks before setting sail. Even then, he only got the hang of it three days after leaving port.

For the Mayers, taking Levi on such a long and off-the-beaten-path voyage came with its share of challenges (like toilet training) as well as rewards. He watched orcas follow beside the boat; he got lost hiking in the Marquesas and had to be lowered down a four-metre cliff; he met fascinated villagers on remote islands; and he snoozed at the children’s feet during lessons in their onboard classroom. Being able to take the family dog with them ultimately guaranteed lifelong memories.

More yacht owners may be taking their pets on ocean adventures every year, but charter guests might find it harder to source a  pet-friendly yacht . Stephanie Archer, senior charter manager at Ocean Independence, believes that there should be space for more charter yachts that welcome pets. “It is increasingly the case that a line shouldn’t be drawn at children for inclusion in a family yachting holiday, but extended to dogs as well, wherever possible,” she argues.

Archer is no stranger to accommodating pets on charters and Ocean Independence has had several pet-friendly yachts in its feet over the years. One such was 60-metre Katina, previously managed by Archer. The yacht’s captain, Antonio Koludrović, recalls one charter party with a lively Pomeranian who was on board for a 46-day trip. This particular canine followed the same vegan diet as his owner and would often frequent the crew mess looking for meat-free treats and plenty of attention.

Dobby’s owner remarks that since she started sailing with her dog, it seems like nearly half of all the yachts they encounter have a four-legged friend on board. “These ‘yacht dogs’ sense each other and greet each other across the water; it’s sweet,” she says. And she is not surprised that so many are choosing to bring their furry companions with them. “There is honestly nothing negative about it. We have been everywhere from  Montenegro and Croatia  to  Spain  and  Capri , and Dobby has only ever added joy.”

Top owner tips

• Safety first:  Make sure your pet has an international microchip and a fitted life jacket . Invest in a GPS locator like the Raymarine LifeTag, which can be attached to any collar and is priceless if your pet unfortunately falls overboard.
• Plan ahead: for international travel, your dog will require paperwork for vaccinations or a quarantine period. Don’t trust your vet to know the laws; do your own investigation as well before departure.
• Sun safe Remember that canines can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke. Provide shade, keep them cool with regular swims and spray them with sunscreen like  Petkin’s Doggy Sunmist Spray  or Top Paw Sunscreen Wipes .
• Hydration  Leave water bowls around the yacht to make sure they are well hydrated or keep a pet-friendly water bottle on hand for day excursions.
• Seasickness  For motion-sick pups, Sabina Nasser swears by chunks of green apple for helping soothe upset tummies. You can also synchronise your cruising with meal times so they are never moving on a full stomach.
• Grooming: Before embarking, hit up your groomer for a puppy cut. The shorter the fur, the less sand and salt will be dragged through your saloon. If you're going on a longer trip, bring a brush  and nail clippers to keep up with your pets grooming needs.
• At your service  For those venturing on longer journeys, register your dog as a service animal. Travelling with a service dog can often help circumvent potential barriers or issues on board.
• Crew training  You won’t always have easy access to veterinary care. Siobhan Brade recommends basic pet first aid training for crew, so they know how to handle most injuries and illnesses until a vet arrives.
• Contingency plans  Mayer advises making sure you have an emergency plan for unforeseen circumstances. Know how you’d get your pet home from anywhere on your route and make sure there’s someone back home ready to look after your dog.

For more travel tips, get the latest issue of BOAT International sent straight to your door.

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Why are orcas attacking boats and sometimes sinking them?

After four years and hundreds of incidents, researchers remain puzzled why orcas, also known as killer whales, continue to ram boats – sinking a few of them – along the Iberian Peninsula. The most-recent incident was the sinking of a yacht on Oct. 31 in the Strait of Gibraltar.

The origin of these interactions remain a "great mystery," said Alfredo López, a University of Santiago biologist, but he does not believe the behavior is aggressive. Orcas are large dolphins, López said. And like dolphins, the events could stem from the orcas’ curious and playful behavior, such as trying to race the boats.

López, who specializes in orcas, and his team, Grupo de trabajo Orca Atlántica (GOTA) , have tracked these encounters since 2020. The team’s recent study theorizes the orcas could also be exhibiting cautionary behavior because of some previous traumatic incident.

Where have killer whales interacted with boats?

GOTA has tracked more than 350 interactions just on the Iberian Peninsula since 2020. Most have taken place along the Strait of Gibraltar, but the orcas’ mischief or self-defense may be spreading north. An incident was reported in June in the  Shetland Islands in Scotland .

GOTA defines interactions as instances when orcas react to the presence of approaching boats, such as:

• Interaction without physical contact.
• Some physical contact without damage.
• Contact that causes serious damage that could prevent the navigation of the boat.

Recent incidents when orcas attacked boats and sank them

The Oct. 31 incident occurred in the Strait of Gibraltar where a pod of orcas sank a mid-size sailing yacht named the Grazie Mamma after a 45-minute interaction,  Live Science reported . 

On June 19 an orca rammed a 7-ton yacht multiple times off the Shetland Islands in Scotland, according to an account from retired Dutch physicist Dr. Wim Rutten in the Guardian.

"Killer whales are capable of traveling large distances, so it is not out of the ordinary that an animal could travel that far," said Tara Stevens, a marine scientist at CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. "To my knowledge, this data is not available, so we cannot confirm at this time if these are the same animals." 

Including the Oct. 31 incident, orcas have sunk four boats this year. The previous sinking occured in May , off the coasts of Portugal and Spain, but whale expert Anne Gordon told USA TODAY  in May that the incidents shouldn't heighten concerns about the whales.

"Yes, they're killer whales. And yes, their job is to be predators in the ocean, but in normal circumstances there is absolutely zero threat to humans in a boat," Gordon said .

Most of the interactions have involved sailboats, but fishing boats, semi-rigid boats and motorboats haven’t gone unscathed. 

Are these the same killer whales attacking boats or unrelated incidents?

López hypothesizes that the interactions could be a self-induced behavior where you're "inventing something new and repeat it. This behavior coincides with the profile of the juveniles." He said it could also be response to an aversive situation: "One or several individuals had lived a bad experience and tried to stop the boat so as not to repeat it. This behavior coincides with the profile of adults."

"Fifteen different orcas from at least three different communities" have been identified, López said. And they are probably teaching the habit to others, or the others are mimicking the behavior. "Without a doubt orcas learn by imitation," López said.  The majority of the culprits are juveniles that touch, push and sometimes turn the vessels. He noted that adult males don't appear to be involved.

"Killer whales are incredibly intelligent animals that do learn behaviors from observation of other individuals," Stevens said. "Typically, very unique behaviors such as this are learned 'within' group, meaning individuals of the group may learn from each other and participate, but that does not necessarily mean that the behavior is shared outside the group with other individuals."

Which pods of killer whales are battering the boats?

Orcas operate in a social structure called a pod. These pods generally are a group of several generations of related orcas. Hierarchies are established within them, and they communicate and learn from one another, the study reads.

GOTA researchers have identified the individuals responsible for the interactions . One large pod is made up of three generations. It starts with grandmother Gladis Lamari, her daughter, grandchildren and a few other relatives.

Another pod comprises siblings Gladis Negra and Gladis Peque. Both have been photographed interacting with boats. Their mother, Gladis Herbille, has generally just watched her children at a distance from the boats, the study said.

A third group in the study are siblings and a cousin.

Orcas often tracking bluefin tuna

The movements of orcas depend on the location of their main food source, bluefin tuna. The migratory movements of tuna are very dynamic and predicting exactly where interactions will take place is very difficult, the report said. According to NOAA , Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest in the tuna family and can reach a length of 13 feet and up to 2,000 pounds. They are a highly migratory species and can migrate thousands of miles across an entire ocean.

About the Iberian orcas

While they are called killer whales, orcas are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. This aquatic marine mammal family includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The Iberian orca is a subpopulation of the Atlantic orca population. These orcas are from the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cádiz. Iberian orcas are small: 16 to 21 feet compared with Atlantic orcas that measure almost 30 feet.

Orcas in general are fast, reaching speeds up to 27.6 mph. By comparison, a 39-foot sailboat travels at about 9.2 mph.

What should you do if your boat is attacked by killer whales

The study recommended these tips to reduce the duration and intensity of the interaction.

• Stop the boat.
• Leave the rudder loose.
• Radio for help.

According to the GOTA study, most of the vessels involved in interactions are medium-sized (less than 49 feet) sailboats, with a paddle rudder, sailing at an average of 6.9 mph, under both sail and motor.

The interactions have been mostly concentrated in the spring and summer months and have been concentrated in the midday hours. They've lasted on average for 40 minutes, but several last less than 30 minutes. 

Types of rudders Iberian orcas have approached

"It is very common for dolphins to interact with the boats and approach," López said. "Before 2020, the orcas did it with frequency but they weren't classified as attacks. Now, sometimes they touch the boat and the encounter is unfairly classified as an attack. They judge socially before understanding what (orcas) do."

Orcas Sink Another Boat in the Strait of Gibraltar

The crew is safe, but the marine mammals did so much damage to the Polish sailing yacht that it couldn’t make it back to port

Daily Correspondent

The orcas are at it again : A pod of the black-and-white marine mammals sank a sailing yacht off the coast of Morocco in the Strait of Gibraltar last week. This marks the fourth vessel orcas have sunk in the region within the last two years, according to Live Science ’s Harry Baker.

On the afternoon of October 31, orcas repeatedly rammed into the Grazie Mamma , a vessel owned by the Polish cruise company Morskie Mile, according to a translated Facebook post from the company. The animals hit the rudder for 45 minutes, causing damage to the boat that filled it with water.

In response, the captain, crew members, search and rescue personnel, port tugboats and the Moroccan Navy worked together to try to bring the damaged yacht safely into port at Tanger-Med. But despite their efforts, the ship sank near the port’s entrance. Fortunately, the crew is “safe, unharmed and sound,” per the Facebook post.

The Grazie Mamma ’s demise is just one of several recent, headline-grabbing incidents involving orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The strait is flanked by Spain to the north and Morocco to the south.

Researchers and sailors alike are baffled by the disruptive behavior of the orcas that inhabit the strait, which are categorized as a distinct—and critically endangered—subpopulation . For the last three years, several members of this group have been colliding with vessels and, in some instances, causing so much damage the boats sink.

Since 2020, scientists have recorded more than 500 interactions between orcas and ships off the Iberian peninsula,  Live Science ’s Sascha Pare reported in May. That represents a small fraction of the total vessels that pass through the strait, but the unusual incidents have garnered worldwide attention nonetheless. The so-called killer whales have become social media stars, with memes and even merchandise suggesting they’re coordinating an “ orca uprising .”

Scientists don’t know for sure why the orcas are targeting vessels, but they have urged onlookers to avoid assigning human attributes to the creatures, and especially to refrain from framing their actions as retaliation, reports the Washington Post ’s Dino Grandoni.

“We believe this narrative inappropriately projects human motivations onto these whales, and we are concerned that perpetuating it will lead to punitive responses by mariners or managers,” a group of 35 scientists wrote in an open letter this August.

Orcas are highly social animals, and in the past, they have periodically adopted short-lived fads, such as wearing dead salmon on their heads like hats. While the vessel strikes are persisting longer than a typical fad, they might disappear just as quickly as they began, the scientists wrote. But overall, it appears unlikely the creatures are behaving maliciously or seeking revenge on humans.

“I just don’t really see it as an agonistic activity,” said Deborah Giles , a marine biologist at the University of Washington and director of the conservation research organization Wild Orca, to the Los Angeles Times ’ Susanne Rust earlier this year.

So far, the behavior has mostly been isolated to the group inhabiting the waters off the Iberian peninsula—though, this summer, one incident did occur more than 2,000 miles away near Scotland.

One theory scientists have for the behavior is that orcas are simply having fun—they see boat rudders, then use their noses to push them until they snap.

“They’re pushing, pushing, pushing—boom! It’s a game,”  Renaud de Stephanis , a scientist who leads the marine research group Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE), told  BBC Future ’s Sophie Hardach in June. “Imagine a kid of 6, 7 years, with a weight of three tonnes. That’s it, nothing less, nothing more. If they wanted to wreck the boat, they would break it in ten minutes’ time.”

Another theory is that a female orca within the group named White Gladis may be acting out because of a past traumatic run-in with a vessel. Perhaps, then, the behavior is catching on among juveniles, because they “look up to these very important females in the pod,” in orcas’ matriarchal society , as  Alfredo López Fernandez , a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal and a member of the Atlantic Orca Working Group, said to CNN ’s Jacopo Prisco in June.

Still, some scientists point out that we, as humans, cannot presume to know the orcas’ motivation. And any attempts to guess are just that: guesswork.

“Nobody knows why this is happening,” Andrew W. Trites , director of marine mammal research at the University of British Columbia in Canada, told CBS News earlier this year. “My idea, or what anyone would give you, is informed speculation. It is a total mystery, unprecedented.”

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Pets on board – how to go long-distance cruising with your dog or cat

• Elaine Bunting
• November 2, 2015

Pets are part of the family, but how does it work out when you take them long-distance cruising? Elaine Bunting talks to two owners taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers about sailing with man’s best friend

Chester and Sparkles with their owners Rolf Oetter and Silke Sommerfeld

Chester and Awa’s story is a boating bromance. It’s the touching tale of two inseparable buddies who met through sailing and cruised together on their boats. I met them at the ARC last year: Chester, a big, stocky Canadian and his slight-framed young Spanish friend. They were completely at home on each others’ boats and always hung out together.

Chester and Awa are dogs, two of perhaps a dozen that did the transatlantic event with their owners. Our dogs are part of the family, beloved companions, and sometimes it’s too much of a wrench to leave them behind. That was the case for Silke Sommerfeld and Rolf Oetter from Canada, while Spanish sailor Gonzalo Rubio Paris had bought a fox terrier pup partly to keep his two young daughters, aged four and two, company.

Chester and Awa love to hang out together

Their story is an amusing one. The two sets of owners had been in touch on an online forum, but only met for the first time last April when they launched their respective Lagoon 450 catamarans two days apart at the yard in Les Sables d’Olonne in France. Chester’s owners have hull No 130, named Next Life , and Awa’s has hull 132, Kazaio .

The two crews and their pets got on immediately and over the months between the launches and the ARC rally they cruised all the way to the Canary Islands “together 80 per cent of the time”. The dogs became inseparable, the nine-month-old fox terrier pup following Chester, a six-year-old golden retriever and more experienced hand, everywhere he went.

Even if the dogs were separated for a day, they would greet each other, Gonzalo says, “as if they hadn’t met for three weeks”. The two boats usually rafted up together. “Awa comes over here to get away from Gonzalo’s two girls and have some quiet time, and Chester goes over there for some excitement,” says Silke Sommerfeld.

Crazy antics

Both have their little quirks. Awa goes nuts when he sees dolphins and has a bad habit of peeing on the flybridge so that it all runs down the sides. Gonzalo says he can be quite useful at times because he’ll bark like mad if there’s a big windshift.

The downside is that he hates flapping sails – “he jumps up and bites them every time I furl the genoa. He doesn’t pierce them so he hasn’t damaged them – yet. And he goes crazy when we use the windlass.”

The Rubio Paris family take Awa ‘walkies’

Chester, conversely, loves dolphins. They are “his biggest joy,” says Sommerfeld. “He watches for them all the time and by watching him we see a lot more wildlife. He loves trips in the dinghy as well.”

Chester isn’t the only pet on board Next Life . Sommerfeld and Oetter are also cruising with Sparkles, a ten-year-old black and white cat “that’s half blind and we didn’t want to leave him with anyone,” says Sommerfeld. The cat once had a bad experience with a dog on a marina dock and ever after has never left the boat when they’re cruising. However, Chester has to be walked and wants to get off the boat regularly, which means he has to be cleared for animal import in every new country.

The pets’ papers run to over 100 pages – “Every country has different rules,” says Silke Summerfeld

Cruising with an animal adds a new level to the bureaucractic hurdles of cruising. Their owners admit that Chester and Awa each have more paperwork than their boats. “It’s been quite difficult,” admits Sommerfeld. “Every country has different rules. In Europe it’s easier because there is a European pet passport, but there’s a lot of additional work with the papers and expense with the vaccines, antibiotics and vets’ inspections.”

Sommerfeld shows me a large folder that runs to over 100 pages, filled with all the rules and regulations in each country they planned to visit. Before leaving Canada last February, both Chester and Sparkles were chipped with international microchips (“not North American ones!” she adds).

New one-year rabies vaccinations were given to both pets and import permit applications plus required documents were emailed in advance to the Saint Lucia and Bahamas authorities.

“I tried to email other Caribbean veterinary authorities, but gave up after most email addresses researched on government sites were returned invalid. The exception was Barbados. We got a prompt email reply saying: ‘If you bring your cat and dog on a private boat you will not be allowed to tie up on any pier/dock in Barbados. You will only be allowed to tie up for outfitting the vessel, ie water, fuel. Your animals will not be allowed to land.’

Pet passports

In preparation for flying the animals to France to go sailing on the new boat, Sommerfeld got all documentation together for the flight to Europe plus a proper-sized crate for the dog. Once in Europe, she was able to obtain European Pet Passports for both dog and cat after getting a rabies blood titer test (which measures the level of antibodies) carried out more than 30 days after the animals’ most recent rabies vaccination.

She also stocked up on heartworm, tapeworm and tick medication, as some countries such as Saint Lucia, require a Lyme disease and heartworm test.

To an extent, their cruising plans have had to be formed around animal import procedures. “Chester already had a rabies vaccination, but that was before he was microchipped, so we had to do that again. He will have to be vaccinated yet again because by the time we get to Bermuda it will be 11 months since it was done and they only accept it up to 10 months.

“Some islands we’ve had to avoid: there’s quarantine in Dominican Republic and Montserrat so we’re not going, and in Jamaica you can’t import animals at all. In the Turks and Caicos you need two rabies vaccinations and another blood titer test.

“The back up is always that you can go, but don’t take pets ashore.”

Doing their business

What about the more day-to-day practicalities. How do they do their business? Do cats and dogs get seasick?

“Oh yes,” says Sommerfeld. “Sparkles gets seasick for the first two or three hours and he pukes, but then he goes to his bed and he’s OK.” The dog never gets seasick, in contrast to his young buddy Awa, who throws up at the start of passages.

Sparkles the cat (mostly) uses a litter tray. Sommerfeld tried to train Chester to poo on a piece of carpet, but he decided by himself to pee and do his business on either of the catamaran’s two bows and will do so on command.

Ten-year-old Sparkles doesn’t like to leave the boat

Chester usually sleeps under the saloon table, but he will get up and keep his owners company on night watches.

Sommerfeld takes care that he doesn’t go to the bow when it’s rough. He wears a harness all the time to make it easier to handle him. “He’s a big dog; he weighs 40kg,” she says. Chester wears a dog lifejacket if conditions merit it, but it is cumbersome.

“He’s the one who gets the Raymarine Life Tag,” Sommerfeld declares. “That gives me peace of mind. But he’s never gone overboard.”

Despite all the hassles, both sets of owners love having their pets on board. Gonzalo Rubio Paris agrees that the paperwork is a nuisance, but says “the girls really enjoy him”.

Sommerfeld muses: “Would I bring a dog on board again? As much as I love it, I wouldn’t recommend buying a dog to take cruising, but if you already have a dog it’s doable. A dog is family and he’s happiest when he’s with us, and when he is it doesn’t matter where he is.

“Walks are not always possible, but I’ve never seen him not content. He’s got lots of toys and stuff for him to chew on. I know he’s happy. He loves it. It’s more complicated with a dog, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

Silke Sommerfeld’s tips

In general:

• The dog will learn to do its business on board, even if it takes a few days. No worries.

• Have some games for the dog so that it doesn’t get bored on the boat. I felt that I had fewer opportunities to walk/exercise my dog than at home, regardless of the trips to the beach. We played ‘kick it and find it’ with Chester – kick it is when he sits at the top of the steps, kicks a ball down the stairs for me to catch and throw back to him. Find it is where I conceal a ball somewhere on the boat for Chester to find and return it.
• The dog will bring a lot of dirt, especially sand, on the boat.
• Bringing any pet requires internet research. A really helpful site is www.pettravel.com . They sell documents, but most documents can be found online at no cost. Search for Department of Agriculture and Pet Import Permit.

In the Caribbean:

• In Saint Lucia many locals are afraid of dogs or don’t like dogs. I kept Chester away from them unless they approached me.
• On the other hand, dogs seem to be very welcome in French islands such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, etc. People here seem to like dogs and it is no problem to take a dog to a restaurant.
• Any non-French island: I would never bring a dog to a restaurant.
• Avoid beaches with people as a courtesy.
• Do not take a dog to National Park beaches, eg St Thomas, USVI.
• So far, no vet has checked the microchip. I wouldn’t recommend going without it, though.

Conclusion: Will bring my dog again. It’s a blast.

• The cat uses litter box only most of the time. Not fun to wake up to a mess inside or outside the boat.
• Cat distributes litter all over.
• Not fun having a litter box close to cockpit/dining area owing to rain protection requirements.
• Cat gets sick with waves, upwind and downwind.
• Cat uses scratch pad some of the time. Now we have so many holes in our cockpit cushions. Not fun!
• Cat hair all over the place. Really sticks to the gelcoat.

Conclusion: Will leave cat at home next time.

Orcas sink another boat in Europe after a nearly hour-long attack

For the fourth time in two years, a group of unusually brazen orcas in southwestern Europe have sunk a sailing boat after relentlessly attacking it for almost an hour on Halloween.

A pod of orcas has attacked and sunk another boat in southwestern Europe after relentlessly bombarding the vessel and its crew for almost an hour on Halloween. It is the fourth time that orcas from this region's population have sunk a vessel in the last two years.

On Oct. 31, the Grazie Mamma — a mid-size sailing yacht owned by Polish cruise company Morskie Mile — was attacked by an unknown number of orcas for around 45 minutes off the coast of Morocco in the Strait of Gibraltar, Morskie Mile representatives wrote in a Facebook post translated from Polish.

The orcas ( Orcinus orca ), also known as killer whales , repeatedly hit the yacht's rudder causing major damage and allowing water into the vessel's hull. Despite receiving aid from the Moroccan Navy and being towed toward safety, the boat eventually sank as it entered the port of Tanger-Med in Morocco. All passengers were safely evacuated to rescue boats before the ship sank.

The unusual attack is the latest example of one of many unnerving new orca behaviors that have highlighted the striking intelligence of these deadly predators. 

Related: 11 ways orcas show their terrifying intelligence  

Since 2020, orcas have been regularly harassing boats in the Strait of Gibraltar — a narrow strait between Spain and Morocco that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea — and the surrounding waters off the coast of the Iberian peninsula. 

These nautical raids were likely started by a pod including White Gladis, a female orca who may have been traumatized by a past boat collision . The unusual behavior then spread among other individuals who seem to be becoming more daring and efficient with their attack s .

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So far, at least three other boats have been sunk in the area , with the most recent incident occurring in May 2023 and the previous two both occurring in 2022. And in June, a yacht had its rudder ripped clean off with "ruthless efficiency" in a 15-minute attack. 

Researchers suspect that orcas are learning to attack boats from one another. Witnesses have also reported seeing orcas "teach" other individuals how to maximize the damage they cause, Live Science previously reported.

Related: How often do orcas attack humans?

So far, only one other boat has been attacked outside of the Strait of Gibraltar and its surrounding waters: A yacht in Scotland, more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) away, which was rammed by a lone individual . However, it is impossible to directly link this attack to the other orcas. 

— Orca appears to adopt (or abduct) a baby pilot whale

— Extremely rare white killer whale spotted off California coast

— Dolphins and orcas have passed the evolutionary point of no return to live on land again  

Boat attacks are not the only unusual learned orca behavior that scientists have taken note of in recent years. 

Since 2017, a pair of orcas known as Port and Starboard have killed dozens of great white sharks in South Africa by ripping out their livers. And on Oct. 17 this year, this behavior was also documented in Australia for the first time , hinting it may also be spreading.  

Harry is a U.K.-based senior staff writer at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to become a journalist. He covers a wide range of topics including space exploration, planetary science, space weather, climate change, animal behavior, evolution and paleontology. His feature on the upcoming solar maximum was shortlisted in the "top scoop" category at the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for Excellence in 2023. 

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• Rivegauche610 Time to start responding with extreme prejudice. Who do they think they are, trumpanzees? Russians? Reply
• orcaenjoyer Time to start breeding more orcas and letting them loose in the Mediterranean and Somalian coasts Reply
• Orca10 I definitely agree with that idea...they are retaliating to the abuse they suffered from human beings....remember, they are highly intelligent.... Reply
• Thorneel Might be no harm to carry a cattle prod on-board, to teach them another lesson. Reply
• georgeodjungle We've been experimenting with a trailing hot wire it's a little hard on the anodes but they turn tail works on mostly everything except seals 12 volt okay 24 works better 120 works really really well but again it's hard on the anodes Reply
• dmissu2 After years we now believe, thanks to all the scientific world discoveries information shared with the world that Orcas are smart, very smart. I submit that in this particular area of the world/oceans these Orcas, perhaps even a pod or more, have been strongly offended by humans in some way and over the last couple of years are now making their objections known. Perhaps suspicious boaters have injured them, killed an orca (young or a leader) either intentionally or not, humans have strongly upset them and they want us to know. Perhaps it continues to occur and they want us to stop. I believe the authorities in this area need to investigate and figure out if something humans are doing have set them off and stop it from happening before more innocent boaters pay the price of those without conscious. Reply
• georgeodjungle Hotwire,,, problem solved Reply
• Pennyforthoughts Note to Harry Baker: photo supposedly depicting the orcas in the Strait of Gilbraltor looks, in fact, like an image of orcas in the Strait of Georgia (or the Georgia Strait) between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island in Canada. Orcas are plentiful there....as are photos of orcas. Reply
• Zuhalter BREAKING: Biden vows to stop orcas at any cost, requests Congress to send $4 billion arms package to Europe and increase sanctions against Sea World. In response, Shamu releases press statement: "Mrrrrrrrrr, eee eeeeee.... kiiiiikk-k-k-k-, klik klik klik-k-k-k.... raaaawwrrrrr! Reply
• fekubichonigo Too bad the "people" didn't die. I spit on the rich Reply
• View All 10 Comments

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Orcas Won't Stop Attacking Boats. They Officially Have Our Attention.

Another killer whale has attacked a yacht in Spain, prompting some to wonder if orcas are teaching their young to ram boats.

• For the past 18 months, orcas have been attacking boats and yachts in the Mediterranean Sea near the Strait of Gibraltar.
• A new report of an orca boat attack in the North Sea near Scotland is a surprising development.
• It's possible that the orcas are displaying “cultural evolution” and other pods are learning behaviors from one another

Now, the majestic orca ( Orcinus orca ) is under scrutiny for the same kind of behavior, as boats in the Mediterranean near the Strait of Gibraltar—and surprisingly, off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea—appear to be specifically targeting boats. Although this behavior was well-known in the Iberian orca population, it’s a shocking development that orcas seemingly unaffiliated with the Mediterranean pod are exhibiting similar behaviors.

“I’d be reluctant to say it cannot be learned from [the southern population],” Conor Ryan, a scientist who’s studied orca pods off the Scottish coast, told The Guardian . “It’s possible that this ‘fad’ is leapfrogging through the various pods/communities.”

Despite being known as “killer whales,” orcas are actually members of the dolphin family and are highly sociable, using complex vocalizations to communicate with one another. The learn matrilineally, meaning “grandmother” orcas (which can live for 80 years or more) become matriarchs of their pods and pass on vital hunting skills.

With three boats sunk and upwards of 100 others damaged in Iberia, scientists think that this behavior may come from one such “grandmother” orca named White Gladis . The thought is that she may have survived a traumatic event earlier in life involving a boat, and has since taught her pod how to attack them. It’s also possible that these attacks are timed with Atlantic bluefin tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ) migrations , and the orcas perceive boats as competition for food.

Of course, humans are not necessarily innocent victims in these orca hit-and-runs, as boats cause noise pollution and other hazards for the creatures and other marine life. But, regardless, how exactly did an orca in the North Sea learn this seemingly isolated behavior from 2,000 miles away? Some scientists think that highly mobile pods could be capable of teaching these boat-destroying tricks to individuals in other pods.

So, will orcas always be on the hunt for boats and yachts of all shapes and sizes? Well, not necessarily. As seemingly easy as it was for the orcas to pick up this hunting trick, it’s possible that this “cultural evolution” will disappear just as rapidly. Similars shifts have happened before. For example, the website Salon reports that, a few years back, bottlenose dolphins were carrying sea sponges on their noses of the coast of Australia . But as quickly as this “fad” appeared, it became scarce, and soon disappeared entirely.

Scientists don’t know how long this particular “cultural evolution” will stick around. But considering our bang-up job protecting the planet, it almost feels like there’s a measure of justified cosmic karma at play here.

Darren lives in Portland, has a cat, and writes/edits about sci-fi and how our world works. You can find his previous stuff at Gizmodo and Paste if you look hard enough. 

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Ocean Exploration: Learn About Marine Animals

Written By: Peter Whiting

Marine animals live in water-filled places all over the world. These animals have adapted in different ways so that they can live at different depths, in different water temperatures, and in places with little or no light. There's a lot more than just fish and boats in the ocean: You'll find animals with shells, animals that look like plants, and even animals that are mammals just like humans.

Shellfish are sea creatures that have exoskeletons. That means that they have their skeletons on the outsides of their bodies! Shellfish aren't actually fish; they're more closely related to insects than fish. Most people are familiar with shellfish because people eat them. If you've ever eaten shrimp or clams, you've eaten shellfish.

• Shellfish are food for humans and for other marine animals.
• Clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops are all types of shellfish.
• People catch shellfish using a type of ship called a fishing trawler.

Corals are little, boneless animals that grow in a tube-like shape called a polyp. Coral polyps root themselves close together in one place, like plants do, and then they create exoskeletons out of limestone. Over time, this limestone builds up to make a coral reef. Some corals are coral-colored, but many more are brown, green, or red.

• The open end of a coral polyp is a mouth ringed by tentacles. The tentacles use stinging cells to catch food.
• Corals in shallow, warm water let algae live inside of them. The algae makes food using photosynthesis, and the coral eats some of this food. Meanwhile, the algae stays safe inside of the coral, where other animals can't eat it.

Marine Mammals

Marine mammals, like other mammals, are warm-blooded, have lungs that they use to breathe air, and have hair. Marine mammals are grouped into four types. Cetaceans include whales and dolphins; pinnipeds include sea lions and seals; sirenians include dugongs and manatees; and marine fissipeds include sea otters and polar bears.

• There are 129 different species of marine mammals.
• Polar bears are thought to have evolved from brown bears during the Pleistocene Epoch.
• Dugongs are sometimes called sea cows because they mostly eat sea grass.

Sea Turtles

There are seven different types of sea turtle species in Earth's oceans. Although sea turtles come ashore from time to time to lay eggs or bask in the sun, they spend most of their time in the ocean. Five species are considered endangered: olive ridley, green, leatherback, loggerhead, and hawksbill turtles.

• Sea turtles enjoy eating jellyfish.
• An average sea turtle can hold its breath underwater for up to five hours.
• They are not able to retract into their shells like other turtles.

The five oceans on Earth are home to around 20,000 different species of fish. These fish come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. They live in different temperatures and depths.

• The Atlantic cod can grow up to 6.5 feet long and eventually weigh around 200 pounds.
• The blue banded goby lives in the Pacific Ocean. It is small and brightly colored and depends on the reefs where it lives for protection and food.
• The three-spot damselfish lives in the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Young damselfish are bright yellow and often have blue dots, while adult damselfish are greenish-brown in color.

Seabirds have adapted to live on or near the water. They typically live longer and produce fewer babies than other types of birds. As a result, they spend a lot of time raising the babies they do produce. They are also known for their long migrations.

• Some seabirds spend part of the year far away from the ocean.
• Most seabirds are able to grab prey underwater.

Sharks and Rays

Sharks have been one of the main types of predators in the world's oceans for most of history. More than 450 different species of sharks exist. However, about 25% of the shark population is currently endangered. One reason is that they are harvested for their fins. Sharks range in size from less than a foot long to more than 40 feet long! Rays are related to sharks, but they are smaller and flatter.

• The blue-spotted ribbontail ray lives in the Indian and Pacific oceans. These rays feed off of the ocean floor. Their name comes from the blue spots on their bodies.
• The lemon shark lives in the mangrove forests and coral keys of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a large, powerful shark. Fishing boats often go out in search of these sharks, which are prized for their meat and fins.
• The southern stingray lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. It spends the majority of its life on the seafloor, picking up food with its mouth, which is located on the bottom of its head.

Additional Resources

• Bearded Seal : Oceana provides pictures and information about the bearded seal and many other species on their site.
• California Sea Lion : Sea lions are part of a group of marine animals called pinnipeds.
• Giant Octopuses : Some of the biggest octopuses in the world live near the West Coast of the United States.
• How Will Changing Ocean Chemistry Affect the Shellfish We Eat? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration looks at how the ocean is becoming more acidic and what that might do to scallops, oysters, and clams.
• Basic Information About Coral Reefs : The Environmental Protection Agency discusses the different types of coral reefs and the dangers they face.
• How Many Fish Live in the Ocean? Scientists believe that around 3,500,000,000,000 fish live in the ocean.
• Information About Sea Turtles : Female sea turtles return to land to lay their eggs, but many male turtles never go back to the shore after they hatch and enter the sea.
• Ocean Habitat : The amount of salt in the water and the temperature help to determine what types of plants and animals can live in different parts of the ocean.
• Life on the Ocean Banks : The Great Cormorant : Some animals that rely on the oceans to survive live on the shore, like the great cormorant, a type of bird.
• Scientific Classification: Sharks and Rays : Scientists have lots of ways to define what makes sharks, rays, and whales different from each other.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

How to take your dog or cat sailing

• Katy Stickland
• July 21, 2021

Taking a dog or cat to sea needs extra thought on a cruising yacht, explains Erin Carey

Animal buoyancy aids give convenient hand holds for lifting. A set point from which to leave the boat reduces the temptation to jump off for a swim

Whether it’s a spilt litter tray or dogs overboard, sailing with your dog or cat can be a challenge, writes Erin Carey .

But since a pet is often an integral member of the family, leaving them at home is simply not an option for some.

When we got a kitten, I spoke to past and present cruisers to find out the realities of living on the water with a pet.

Movement around the boat for your dog or cat

Whether the pet or the boat comes first, there are several considerations to keep in mind when it comes to reconciling the two to each other.

Moving between above and below decks on a monohull can be tricky.

Modern yachts tend to have less vertiginous companionways and bathing platforms aft.

Once used to the boat, many dogs love being on the water

Older yachts often have a companionway with five or six near-vertical steps, smaller living spaces and a lack of easy access to the water.

These design features can present problems for those sailing with a large dog, especially if you are unable to lift them regularly.

A plank with rungs is one solution for making a steep companionway climbable.

Adding marine carpet to your companionway steps might help by providing more grip.

Safe space for a dog or cat

Creating a safe space during rough weather on both tacks requires a bit of forethought.

A bed that will keep them secure is vital.

A simple crate with padded lining, the footwell beside your bunk lined with cushions, or a saloon settee with a lee cloth would all work for a dog.

Cats will naturally find hidey-holes to hunker down in at sea.

Safety on deck

If your pet prefers to hang out in the cockpit, enforce rules similar to those used when children are aboard.

Under sail, pets should always be tethered to the boat.

They must be trained not to leave the cockpit unless for using the toilet, accompanied by a human.

Space under the sprayhood or wedged between the cockpit seats and the steering pedestal works well for some pets.

Helping pets feel secure and relaxed will make sailing more enjoyable for all. Credit: Richard Langdon

Others are happy simply spreading out on the cockpit cushions.

Netting fixed to lifelines and training your animal to wait for commands before leaving the boat when in port, via a predetermined exit point, are all good control measures.

Should a pet go overboard in harbour, a good-sized net to scoop up smaller dogs is handy.

For cats, a length of carpet to dangle over the side, which they can sink their claws into to climb back on board, is useful.

Accessories

click to read our buyers guide to pet floatation, lifejackets and buoyancy aids

When it comes to tethers and dog lifejackets , high-quality material, robust handles, covered buckles and clips that won’t get caught on things are a must.

Jackets need to fit snugly and shouldn’t hinder the animal’s ability to swim.

Standard tethers or leashes can be used to secure your pet to the boat.

First things first. Find a safe space and introduce them to it

But ensure they are not long enough to allow your pet to reach the edge.

Other accessories available include nautical leashes, carry bags and a light for after dark walks.

An identity tag with the boat’s details and contact information, cooling coats or gel pads for hot weather, dog potty pads and weighted blankets to calm pets in times of stress.

It’s also advisable to take an airline-approved pet carrier with you should you need to fly home with your pet.

waterproof beanbags also make great pet beds on boats as they can be wedged in to awkward spaces and provide a secure place to sleep downbelow or on deck.

Click to view waterproof beanbags for sale

Seasickness and health

Seasickness can be a genuine problem for pets.

It’s worth talking to your vet and trying the options available, in terms of both seasickness and anti-anxiety medication, to find what works for your creature.

Ensure you protect them from UV with plenty of shade and even hypo-allergenic sunblock.

Overheated animals feel hot, pant uncontrollably and may vomit.

Cooling pads and wet towels will help in hot weather.

There’s a good selection of pet cooling mats in pet stores. 

Click to view a selection of cooling mats for sale

Enjoying the destinations you visit will no doubt include taking your pets to shore.

It is worth talking to your vet about seasickness before cruising with you pet

Unfortunately, it is here that animals are most likely to injure themselves.

Stray dogs, broken glass, rusty steel, poison baits and fast-moving vehicles all have the potential to harm your pet.

While vets are accessible in most locations, it’s still important to bring along supplies to treat common occurrences.

These can include such cuts on paws, skin and ear infections, and dehydration.

A basic pet first-aid kit is vital.

Gauze, bandages, antiseptic cream and a saline solution will help control bleeding and infection in the short term.

Diet and provisioning for your dog or cat

If your pet has a special diet, or a favourite brand of food, bring as much as you can from home.

Sourcing high-quality pet foods abroad can be difficult and expensive.

What about their business?

What are often most taxing on pet owners are the numerous trips to shore each day so pets can do their business.

The most common toileting method for dogs on board involves a square of astroturf on the bow of the boat or a puppy pad in the shower tray.

A dog can be trained to do their business here, though they may not oblige.

A square of astroturf on the bow can make a good ‘dog toilet’

A puppypad can be placed in the shower tray for toilet business when underway and if going on deck isn’t safe.

You can buy compostable puppy pads easily.

Click the image to view puppy pads for sale

One cruiser I spoke to had a dog that would hold on for up to 48 hours rather than go on the boat.

Cat owners have a much easier time.

For Kach and Jonathan Howe, toilet arrangements were a cinch.

‘We had a litter tray on board which both cats were happy to share, and sourcing litter for their tray was easy.’

Sand from a beach can make an easy alternative.

While under way, it is recommended that you secure the kitty litter tray with bungee cords or tough Velcro.

International travel with pets

Owners sailing between EU countries can purchase an EU pet passport for around £60.

This document, filled out by an EU vet, allows your pet freedom of movement within the European Union.

It is also accepted in Turkey and Scandinavia.

Continues below…

What could a no-deal Brexit mean for UK cruisers?

The Cruising Association considers what a no-deal Brexit might mean for UK sailors

Boating abroad: what you need to know

Essential information for sailors heading for foreign climes

Cruising after Brexit and sailing in Europe

As Europe begins to open up again for cruising, Lu Heikell looks at the implications of Brexit on UK sailors…

Following the end of the Brexit transition period on the 31 December 2020, UK pet owners cruising from Great Britain to the EU with their animals have to register for an animal health certificate (AHC).

AHCs will be issued by a vet, will be valid for four months and must be obtained 10 days before travel.

AHCs will be valid for a single trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU for and re-entry to Great Britain.

Your pet must have been microchipped and have had a rabies vaccination and a treatment against echinococcus multilicaris (a type of tapeworm).

However, bringing an animal back into the UK after it has visited other non-EU countries is more complicated.

UK Pet Passports for travel to the EU will only be valid until the end of 2020

Cruisers must check with the relevant authorities to avoid complications.

The need to research the country you will be entering cannot be stressed enough.

In the rest of the world, pets must be declared to customs and immigration upon arrival into each new country.

You will have to provide proof your pet has all of his or her vaccinations up to date, a valid health certificate and rabies titer (antibody test).

Erin Carey, from Australia, left the rat race to sail Roam , a Moody 47, with husband Dave and three sons around the world and writes about the adventures online and on social media.

In general, pet owners reported spending a £40-80 in customs fees each time they visited a new country.

Vet appointments cost £30-60 on top of that.

Blood work, a microchip, and tapeworm treatment are often required.

Animals could also be placed into quarantine and fees can be as high as £1,000 in places like Australia.

The absolute worst-case scenario is that your pet could be euthanised if you arrive in a country that strongly enforces biosecurity, so thorough research is a must.

Despite the challenges, there are many benefits to cruising with a pet.

Not one of the cruisers I spoke to regretted bringing their animal aboard.

Most said that sailing with a pet enriched their experience.

Let’s hope our new crewmember can do the same.

To make sure we always provide the latest information, this page was last updated on 1 January 2021

For all the latest from the sailing world, follow our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram .

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Yacht Cruising Lifestyle

Everything fun you can do from your yacht

Sailing with Pets – The Official Guide to Four-Legged Voyaging

March 15, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 2 Comments

Our four-legged companions are far from just our in-house pets – they’re family. So when we ask them to hop aboard and join us for an epic journey through the high seas, we’re met with an enthusiastic wag and unwavering confidence in our request. That is, at least, until they see the body of water they’re up against. While some of our pets can’t wait to splash into the cool blue, others might feel the urge to curl up in a corner and cower. This guide covers everything from pet passports to onboard anxiety when sailing with pets to ensure the most enjoyable adventure imaginable.

Planning For Sailing With Pets

Before sailing with pets, it’s a good idea to see how they react to a smaller excursion close to home first. Of course, you’ll already have some idea of how much or how little they enjoy the water or being away from the comfort of the living room, but thoroughly testing the reality can help you manage and prepare for the things that need the most work. Do they follow commands on the water as well as they do at home? Do they sprint down the boat deck barking at passing birds? Will they eat, relax, and sleep as needed when weather conditions aren’t ideal? These types of questions become more of a concern once you hit the open ocean, so you should consider them carefully before a big journey. 

Pet Documentation – Pet Passports (EU) and More

Since each country has its own travel regulations regarding animals, you’ll need to educate yourself well ahead of time about the required documentation, vaccinations, and the possibility of an animal quarantine on arrival. Nearly every country worldwide now requires your pet to be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies, and countries within the EU require a pet passport for onward travel. Further, certain countries require you to fill out an import permit to be submitted when clearing immigration. In any case, do yourself a favor and skip the assumptions – all of these rules can change at the drop of a hat. 

A pet passport is exactly what you’d imagine it to be – an official document that holds information related to your pet, ultimately making international travel a simpler and more streamlined process. Only veterinarians within the union may issue an EU pet passport, and they are only valid for travel between member countries. Although an EU pet passport will set you back about $70, it’s a small price to pay for the freedom it allows while traveling in the region. Passports remain valid for the life of the pet, but be sure that rabies vaccinations are kept up-to-date – otherwise, you’ll need to re-apply for the document. 

Before heading to the appointment with a vet, be sure you have all of the following in hand:

• Copy of ISO microchip information
• Rabies vaccination certificate OR Copy of negative rabies test results
• Copy of Your Passport
• Annex IV form filled out by your home veterinarian and endorsed by your country’s governing body (i.e., USDA if coming from the US)
• Copy of your home address and supporting information

* All documents should be no more than three weeks old.

If for any reason, your pet does not meet a country’s entrance requirements, they’ll need to stay in a secured room on board your vessel for the duration of your stay. In some cases, your pet won’t even be allowed on the boat’s deck, which makes fresh air and exercise nearly impossible. If you find yourself in this position, DO NOT break these rules under ANY circumstance. Stepping on land illegally could lead to the seizure of your pet by immigration authorities. 

Microchips – A Trending Standard

Microchipping pets has been common practice in recent history, even for those of us who don’t sail or travel internationally. The reason is simple – we love our animals too much to risk their safety.

When traveling to foreign countries, the prospect of this scenario becomes much more relevant, so we need to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. Apart from the safety and security of our four-legged family members, a microchip provides several other benefits to an animal and its owners. Owners can choose to store important information on the chips database for quick reference to health officials, including medical and travel records. 

Is microchipping your pet required or just recommended? 

While there’s certainly some wiggle room in this answer, most countries now require pets to be microchipped before their arrival. Since few nations don’t require owners to register their pets with an ISO standard chip, it makes sense to have them chipped sooner rather than later.

How is a microchip implanted? Is it painful?

Veterinarians use a hypodermic needle to implant microchips – a small, hollow tube used with a syringe. To be more precise, the microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, or 12mm. While the hypodermic needle is slightly larger than a standard needle, it doesn’t hurt more than a typical injection. In many cases, owners choose to microchip their pets while undergoing other procedures like spaying or neutering, as they’re already under anesthesia and won’t be conscious during the process. 

Rabies Vaccination – A Requirement

No matter where you’re traveling, your pet will need to be vaccinated against rabies to come ashore. Beyond the entry requirements, though, the need for a rabies vaccine becomes far more apparent when traveling internationally. While many countries consider themselves “rabies-free,” others have “high incidence” rates – large populations of infected animals and a high spread rate. Additionally, just because a country considers itself “rabies-free” doesn’t make the threat non-existent.

Cats have been known to catch rabies on sailboats, even when they’ve spent the entire trip in the cabins. Bats are common intruders in boat cabins and galleys, and cats love to hunt. Unfortunately, bats are ideal carriers of the disease.

Before reaching a new destination, make sure to have the following documents arranged:

• Copy of your pets rabies titer test at least 30 days after the initial vaccination

* It’s common for rabies titer results to take over a month to receive, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Flea and Tick Treatment – Minimizing the Risk

It’s essential to regularly have your pets checked and treated for ticks and fleas when traveling internationally. First things first, though – always consult your veterinarian before making decisions on control. Treatments and repellants can be toxic, and you don’t want to run the risk of harming your pet, especially while there’s no immediate access to animal healthcare.

Certain treatments and preventatives can also be harmful to children and pregnant women when exposed, so you should always inform your doctor before beginning use. If children or pregnant women are on board, you should strongly consider using an oral treatment rather than a topical treatment. 

Some owners choose to use natural insect treatments, but be careful – some of these can cause allergic reactions in animals and have the potential to be fatal.

Instead of using natural products for prevention and treatment, use the following control methods:

• Vacuum indoor areas weekly

Why is it so important to prevent and treat fleas and ticks?

For safety and peace of mind. Fleas can be a huge nuisance, and they can wind up being harmful to your pets when left untreated. Fleas are “external parasites,” and they live up to their name well. When a flea bites, it causes an itching sensation that can’t be satisfied. Scratching often turns into open wounds, putting your pet at risk of infection and diseases. Open wounds should be dealt with immediately, especially after exposure to warm seawater – the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. 

Ticks are common carriers of various harmful diseases like Lyme disease and mostly thrive in grassy, wooded areas. You don’t need to have even set foot on land to find ticks on your boat, though. Windy conditions can be enough to blow the little buggers aboard, so it’s wise to have your pets taking tick medication just in case. 

Heartworm Treatment – Prevention is Key 

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that can cause lung disease, heart failure, and organ damage in dogs, cats, and ferrets. The disease develops because of long, parasitic worms called Dirofilaria immitis, which lives and reproduces in an animal’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels .

Since the disease is so common and the effects can go unnoticed, pet owners must understand the risks and know how to mitigate them. 

Is Heartworm Disease common when sailing with pets?

Heartworms spread through mosquitos, putting those who sail in tropical and sub-tropical destinations at relatively high risk. It’s not just those animals who travel that are at risk of infection, though. Heartworm disease is prevalent and reported in dogs in all 50 of the United States. While our pets are generally safe from contracting heartworms in colder climates, nearly anywhere that mosquitoes are active can pose a threat. 

How is Heartworm Disease different for dogs and cats?

Dogs are an ideal host for heartworms, and they’re the most common of our pets to catch the disease. Since they’re a typical host, dogs can carry anywhere from two to 250 adult heartworms at once. The good news is that the disease is successfully treatable when caught in the early stages, although prevention always provides a better outcome than treatment. 

Cats play quite a different role than dogs as hosts to the disease, which comes with benefits and downfalls all the same. Cats are atypical hosts for Heartworm Disease, meaning they do not provide the ideal environment for the worms to thrive. When infected, a cat will only host one to three worms, none of which survive to the adult stage.

Since the worms all die off before maturing, the disease most often goes unnoticed. While this sounds like a benefit for cats, you need to understand that even immature worms can cause severe and lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and respiratory system. The damage comes in the form of Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease, otherwise known as HARD. You can not treat a cat for heartworms with medication. Prevention plays the only role in keeping your felines healthy and heartworm-free. 

What are the signs of Heartworm?

Dogs often show little to no signs of Heartworm Disease in the early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms are more likely to develop – although this may not happen until serious damage occurs. When symptoms begin to develop, they can include one or more of the following signs:

• Mild, Persistent Cough
• Reluctance to Exercise
• Quickly Exhausted
• Decreased Appetite
• Weight Loss

Cats have symptoms that vary dramatically from negligible to the extreme, and the first signs often indicate a significant medical problem. When symptoms do present themselves, they can include one or more of the following signs:

• Wheezing Cough
• Asthma-Like Attacks
• Lack of Appetite
• Difficulty Walking

How and when should I have my pet tested for Heartworm?

You should test your dogs for heartworms annually – even when regularly taking heartworm medication. You can have your dogs tested during routine check-ups or visits to the veterinarian, so there’s no need to set up additional appointments unless your dog shows symptoms of the disease. A small sample of blood is taken and tested for the heartworm proteins that develop in the bloodstream. Results are quick and accurate, so you should act immediately if the infection is present. 

Because cats are far less likely to carry the disease than dogs, they are often checked less routinely for heartworms. It’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian, though, since sailing with pets to new destinations could increase the likelihood of contracting the disease. The most common method of detecting heartworms in cats is testing for antibodies in the blood or visual inspection using x-rays and ultrasounds.

When we think of dogs and their love for the water, it can be easy to forget just how much effort they need to put towards paddling their way back to solid ground. They love it – but it’s no easy task, even for the strongest of swimming breeds. Add a bit of choppy water or current into the mix, and things become particularly dangerous.

Animal life jackets make swimming safer for pets and owners alike, and most animals will learn to wear them happily. The last thing you want is for you or your pet to be overboard, without flotation, struggling to get back to the boat. The US Coast Guard reports numerous deaths every year of pet owners attempting a rescue in open water. 

So, how do you choose the right life vest for your pets?

Ideally, it would b e best if you looked for the following in an animal life vest:

• A Proper Fit: Comfort and safety should go hand in hand when buying your pet a life jacket, and a proper fit will support both of those values. Remember, they will wear these quite often, and an improper fit could make life miserable for the foreseeable future. 
• Sufficient Buoyancy: The size and material will dictate how buoyant the life jacket is, but if the jacket has the right fit, it should have enough lift. Carefully choose the design of the jacket, though. Some vests are more padded on the belly than they are around the neck, and each animal will require something specific to keep its face above water. 
• Bright, Flashy, and Reflective Colors: One of the most important things to do when an animal or person goes overboard is to keep their location known. Brightly colored life vests with reflective material can help you identify things from long distances, and they make swells less effective at hiding a person or animal overboard. 
• Functionality: An animal life jacket is providing safety to our pets – yes. We don’t just want security, though. We want convenience. Things like handles, clips, and adjustment straps are essential to making life safe and easy for everyone involved. If your furry friend ends up overboard, pulling them back on deck is infinitely easier with handles. Falling overboard trying to lift them is the last thing you want, and it can become potentially dangerous in less than ideal conditions. More simply, though, little Todo doesn’t want you yanking on straps and fumbling over clips for five minutes every time they need to put the jacket on. Easy-to-use equipment is essential. 

Safety Harness

Some owners prefer to use a safety harness while sailing with pets in rough conditions or making long passages. The added security allows your pet to spend some time outside without being tossed around the deck or over the side by unexpected waves or excessive boat roll. If an animal were thrown over the side of the boat wearing a standard leash, they would hang by the weight of their necks.

A good harness would allow the animal to hang from its body instead of a far safer alternative. Additionally, pulling your animals out of the water back to safety is much easier with a body harness than a leash.

Lifeline Perimeter Netting

Having a perimeter fence for your boat deck is a great way to add some extra security for your clumsy crewmates, and they provide plenty of additional benefits, such as keeping loose equipment, tools, and random recreational toys dry. Along with using the netting as a perimeter fence, consider using it to line your cockpit or bow of the boat for rough passages. If your pet has a place they feel comfortable during lousy weather, fence in that area too.  

Installing the netting is easily done, even by the most novice of handymen and women. The netting comes pre-rolled in specific lengths, so all you’ll need to do to prepare is measure the perimeter or other area you wish to fence and prep for installation. While the process is exceptionally straightforward and done by nearly anyone, proper installation can be time-consuming – it is a safety feature you are adding, after all. 

Sailing with Pets: Overboard Plan

We hate to think about our beloved pets ending up overboard, especially in foul weather. Since the risk is so high when it does happen, we need to prepare for these situations thoroughly – even if they aren’t likely to occur. Much of this article has harped on doing everything in your power to prevent these situations from happening. So why then would we need to put so much time and effort into a rescue scenario? It’s simple – unexpected things happen all the time.

Perimeter nets can break, harnesses can fail, and boats can heel to the extremes. A rescue scenario is your last lifeline if an animal goes overboard, and you should already have one in place for yourself and the rest of the crew. You should always know how to react to a man-overboard scenario , especially when sailing with pets in open water.

Training for Sailing With Pets

In addition to practicing things like boat maneuvers, deploying rescue GPS systems, and assigning individual positions and duties, you should spend some time teaching your animal “in-water commands.” Although it will be tempting, do not jump in after your pet to save them. Animals can panic just like humans, and a panicking pet can be the demise of both of you in an unforgiving ocean. Instead, practicing in-water commands will allow you to call the dog over to the boat – or at least in the boat’s general direction to make maneuvering easier. If your furry friend is wearing a life jacket or harness, they should be relatively easy to pull aboard. 

Many sailing pet owners choose to buy a useful piece of equipment called a “Man Overboard Indicator,” which is essentially a waterproof location transponder worn by your pet. The indicator comes with up to eight additional transponders that alert the crew when a pet falls overboard. Once the alarms sound, the transponder sends out a signal to its location so that you can carry out a quick and safe rescue. 

Sea-Sickness

For those who aren’t used to spending so much time on the water, sea-sickness is a real threat to what are supposed to be enjoyable days of leisure. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to be the victim of a short-lived illness, you know just how miserable it can be. If you can become that nauseous that quickly, what makes you think your pets won’t react the same way? 

Dogs are susceptible to numerous forms of motion sickness, and sea-sickness is at the top of the list. While general motion sickness is less of a problem for dogs who have reached adulthood, the problem can be remarkably persistent for sea-sickness. 

Training cats to deal with motion sickness is much more difficult than their canine counterparts. The driving factor for sea-sickness in cats is anxiety, followed by actual motion sickness. Because cats are generally anxious and stressed in new scenarios, they can be harder to train while traveling. 

So how do we recognize when our pets are dealing with motion sickness on a boat?

The following signs and symptoms are common among cats and dogs experiencing motion sickness:

• Persistent Yawning
• Whining and Whimpering
• Persistent Licking 

We must be aware of motion sickness signs in our animals, as fear and anxiety can worsen the illness. If we can identify the problem as soon as possible, we can treat the problem and get our pets feeling well again. Motion-sickness pills taken by humans are an occasional solution to overwhelming sea-sickness, but you must always consult your veterinarian first. For animals with persistent motion sickness, prescription medication may be appropriate. If you suspect that your pet has motion sickness, especially on a boat in the hot sun, the best immediate action is to give them as much cool water as they will drink. 

We know how much you love your pets, so we know you’ve done some preparation regarding the health and safety of your four-legged friends while at sea. It never hurts to have an additional comprehensive run-down, though – to be sure you’ve covered all your bases. 

Let’s take a look at our top health tips for sailing with pets:

• Awareness of allergies is essential when traveling internationally, as certain medications may be hard to come by in some parts of the world. By knowing which allergies are present, you can adequately prepare for the worst-case scenario.
• Consult your vet if your pet has dietary restrictions or needs something specific to keep them happy and healthy while traveling, as some treatments and medication will be unavailable while traveling. 
• Neatly organizing and categorizing your pets’ medication with bold and dark lettering can be helpful when searching for them during a long or particularly rough passage. It will also help ensure that there are no mistakes in which medication you give your pets. Labels with words like “eyes,” “ears,” or “stomach” can help you quickly identify which medication you’re trying to find. 

For a list of specific medications and first-aid supplies to keep on board for your pet, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. Dogs, cats, and ferrets will require different medications for different things, so there isn’t one solution to cover all of their needs. Your vet will give you the best advice and plan of action for a specific situation such as yours. 

Potty Training and Exercise

Fake grass pads.

Having our pets on board for an epic journey at sea is nothing short of a dream, but how do we address the simple points of life, such as potty training? No worries, you’re not the first to take a journey with your tail-wagging, peeing, and pooping machines by your side. 

Just as with any other type of training – and certainly potty training – consistency will be key. However, consistency met with a reward system is going to get you across the metaphorical finish line.

Routines should be physical and mental, so establish a system that’s likely to motivate your pet to follow through. Using an artificial grass-pad placed in one location on the boat is your best bet to get your pets – dogs, in particular – to be happy and comfortable relieving themselves. Choose a spot on the boat to install the grass pad, but choose wisely, as changing its location will break the routine. Some pet owners choose to have both a primary and secondary grass pad on board. One for fair weather conditions above deck, and the other for foul weather and long passages below deck. The size of your grass pad should reflect the size of your pet. Be sure to provide adequate space for them to do their business. 

If you’re having trouble establishing a new spot to take care of business, here are a few tips and tricks that may sway them to submit to the new way of life:

• Collect a small sample of your pets’ pee or poo, and place it on the grass pad. As dogs and cats like to have their territory marked, this may help establish the location as their own. Once your pet makes its way to the mat and starts sniffing around the familiar smell, give your standard command for them to get to the point. 
• If they simply aren’t responding well to the reward system, try switching up your methods. Use new and exciting treats to entice them. Reward them with playtime immediately after, or anything you can think of that they usually respond to positively. 
• A common and successful method for keeping your pet regular is to keep to a strict feeding schedule. By feeding them twice a day at similar times, their bodies will adapt. This helps reduce any accidents that may happen on the boat.
• For male dogs, particularly, a small shrub or bush can be a helpful fixture to mark their territory. Doing so will help them feel more comfortable and willing to use the area consistently.

While our cats may not need much exercise to keep happy, our dogs are a much different story. Getting them the exercise they need while moving through an unimaginably massive body of water can be a challenge. In ideal scenarios, we would stop the boat every once in a while to get off and run around. Unfortunately, you won’t often be stopping on a long open-ocean passage. 

If conditions allow for it, you can let your dogs run freely on the boat’s deck – although these may come few and far between during long, open passages. Most of the time, you can expect that your pups will be below deck, or in the best case, tethered somewhere on deck. Do as much activity and get as much exercise as possible right before going on long journeys. Your dog will undoubtedly feel cooped up for a while. Get as much exercise as you can before you leave, as well as on arrival. After reaching a new destination, let them go for a run on the beach or a swim near the pier. 

Other tips for long passages or inclement weather include:

• Don’t feed your dog as much as you would in places that they can exercise often. The less active lifestyle will be worsened by overeating – further complicating the journey for them.  
• Keep various toys and games on the boat that the dogs can play with inside or on deck. Even the smallest amount of playtime can go a long way in extended scenarios without the outdoors. 

Amenities and Accessories

Designated shade areas.

When sailing with pets in tropical and subtropical destinations, we’re cautious about keeping our time under the sun limited. Sunburns, heatstroke, and just general comfortability can be significantly affected by prolonged sun exposure. It’s easy for us to recognize when these things begin to happen to us, though. Our animals have a more challenging time making the distinction. Providing easy access to shade on the deck reduces the risk and worry of our pets overheating. 

Designated shade areas will vary from boat to boat, so there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. As long as there is significant space that remains shaded throughout the day, you should be set. Consider setting up your pet’s bed under the shade for a day at anchor, alongside the food and water bowls, to create a relaxing atmosphere. If shade is hard to achieve during certain times throughout the day, an umbrella can be the perfect solution to staying cool. 

One epic and innovative accessory to keep for sunny occasions is “cooling mats” made specifically for animals. As long as they stay in shaded areas, these mats keep your pet feeling cool, even when the temperatures outside are scorching. The cooling sensation comes from a unique gel material that cools when unpressured. As the dog or cat lays on the mat, the gel begins to warm. Within a half-hour of them getting up, the gel cools to a lower temperature. 

Books and Resources to Learn More

While we pride ourselves on the work we’ve done to write this article for you, we understand that there is so much information that others have to offer – and it’s never a bad idea to continue learning. Below, we list a few of our favorite books and resources to help you prepare for sailing with pets. 

How to Sail with Dogs: 100 Tips for a Pet-Friendly Voyage – by Michelle Segrest

The only sure-fire way to know the ins and outs of voyaging with dogs is to have the first-hand experience. Being a full-time cruiser and owner of two beautiful beagles, Michelle Segrest is the perfect person to outline the details that allow an enjoyable and safe experience traveling the oceans with your four-legged crew. With tails wagging at her side, Michelle managed to sail through four continents, picking up tips, tricks, and advice along the way. This book is a must-read for anyone sailing with their dogs.

A Sea Dog’s Tale: The True Story of a Small Dog on a Big Ocean – by Pamela Douglas Webster

If you’re questioning whether or not to sail with your pet, this book might bring you some clarity. Pamela is the perfect author for this book, having a deep emotional connection with her pet and endless stories that illustrate just how rich a sea dog’s life can be. Life often presents us with tough decisions, but Pamela will be the first to tell you that the benefits of taking your pet to sea well outweigh the risks. If you need some inspiration, this book is a must-own. 

AdventureCats.Org – Living Nine Lives to the Fullest

AdventureCats is an online resource to help execute a life of adventure for owners and cats alike. The site was created for cat lovers by cat lovers. No gimmicky sales pitches here, just quality information to help our feline-loving friends. While this is not a sailing-specific resource, there is a ton of valuable information regarding travel and adventure. We promise you’ll find some value in this. Be ready to get lost for hours at a time reading through their content.

Have questions or need support with anything involving boat life? Join the #BoatLife forum and post questions or comments to get a conversation started with like-minded folks!

If you found this article helpful, please leave a comment below, share it on social media, and subscribe to our email list. 

For direct questions and comments, shoot me an email at [email protected]

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Orcas Sink Fourth Boat Off Iberia, Unnerving Sailors

Orcas caused enough damage to sink a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar last week. A small pod has been slamming boats in recent years, worrying skippers charting routes closer to shore.

By Isabella Kwai

The yacht Grazie Mamma II carried its crew along the coastlines and archipelagos of the Mediterranean. Its last adventure was off the coast of Morocco last week, when it encountered a pod of orcas.

The marine animals slammed the yacht’s rudder for 45 minutes, causing major damage and a leak, according to Morskie Mile , the boat’s Polish operators. The crew escaped, and rescuers and the Moroccan Navy tried to tow the yacht to safety, but it sank near the port of Tanger Med, the operator said on its website.

The account of the sinking is adding to the worries of many sailors along the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, where marine biologists are studying a puzzling phenomenon: Orcas are jostling and ramming boats in interactions that have disrupted dozens of voyages and caused at least four boats in the past two years to sink.

The largest of the dolphin family, orcas are playful apex predators that hunt sharks, whales and other prey but are generally amiable to humans in the wild . The orcas hunting in the Strait of Gibraltar are considered to be endangered , and researchers have noticed an upsurge of unusual behavior since 2020: A small group of the marine animals have been battering boats in the busy routes around Portugal, Spain and Morocco.

While most interactions occur in the waters of southwestern Europe and North Africa, an orca also reportedly rammed a yacht some 2,000 miles north off the coast of Scotland, according to The Guardian.

“Orcas are complex, intelligent, highly social,” Erich Hoyt, a research fellow at Whale and Dolphin Conservation and author of “Orca: The Whale Called Killer,” said. “We’re still at the early stages of trying to understand this behavior.”

Researchers have pushed back at the idea that orcas are attacking vessels. Instead, they theorize that the rudders of boats have become a plaything for curious young orcas and that the behavior has become a learned fad spreading through the population. Another hypothesis, according to biologists who published a study on the population last June, is that the ramming is an “adverse behavior” because of a bad experience between an orca and a boat — though researchers tend to favor the first.

It is unclear what will stop the ramming, whether it’s playful or otherwise, a point that has left anxious skippers traveling these parts sharing advice in Facebook groups dedicated to tracking such interactions .

“It’s been an interesting summer hiding in shallow waters,” said Greg Blackburn, a skipper based in Gibraltar. Orcas slammed into a boat he was commanding in May and chewed at the rudder, he said, though the vessel was able to return to shore.

The encounter left an impression: On a recent trip to Barcelona, Mr. Blackburn had to pass through a patch where orcas had been sighted the week before. “I genuinely felt sick for about three hours,” he said, “just watching the horizon constantly for a fin to pop up.”

Conservationists, maritime rescue groups and yacht clubs are partnering to navigate the challenge of preserving an endangered population and helping sailors avoid calamity. The Cruising Association, a club supporting sailors, has recommended safety protocols for orca encounters, such as disconnecting the boat’s autopilot and staying quiet. Skippers have offered one another anecdotal advice to deter attacks, including throwing sand into the water and banging loudly on the boat.

Before leaving shore, seagoers can also consult digital platforms that now track reported orca sightings and interactions in the region. This can help them avoid the animals, or chart a route closer to shore, said Bruno Díaz López, a biologist and the director of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute based in Galicia, Spain.

“We suggested the boats stay in shallow waters,” he said, adding that they had noticed more boats changing their journeys. “Maybe the trip takes longer, yes. But it is worth it.”

Mr. Blackburn, the skipper, said he had heard of people resorting to throwing firecrackers into the sea to try to scare the animals away, adding that the boats served as people’s homes on the ocean. “At the end of the day, if you’re protecting your home what are you going to do?”

But the ocean is the orcas’ home, and conservationists say scaring the animals is not a solution.

“It is not about winning a battle, because this is not a war,” Mr. López said. “We need to be respectful.”

Isabella Kwai is a breaking news reporter in the London bureau. She joined The Times in 2017 as part of the Australia bureau. More about Isabella Kwai

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Making Waves

Fort Lauderdale’s Andrew and Tanya Heller host a “patriotic chic” dinner party onboard their 145-foot yacht, Tanzanite

Don’t call it a party boat—although the moniker wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Tanzanite is the 145-foot, four-deck, five-cabin luxury yacht belonging to Fort Lauderdale residents Andrew and Tanya Heller. Given that this dynamic couple is known to play host to two or more lavish parties a month—sometimes onboard, sometimes at their waterfront, Thomas Benedict–designed, Mediterranean-style estate, either indoors or out—it is fitting that their origin story began at a party with a purpose.

In 2010, after meeting at a Washington, D.C. charity ball that Tanya managed to benefit groups fighting human trafficking, the pair decided to go out on a date. “We had interests in common like charity work and entertaining,” says Tanya, who was a realtor in Washington, D.C. at the time.

Andrew recalls that Tanya owned 14 animals when they met: an array of cats, dogs, and birds. While Andrew found it charming, he wasn’t without his reservations. “I am allergic to cats and dogs,” he says. “As we dated, and I fell in love with her, I began taking allergy shots so I could be around them.”

The founder of Heller Capital Corporation—which provides financing to start-up companies and makes acquisitions in manufacturing and other areas—Andrew was living mostly in the D.C. area in 2010. But he also owned a second home in Fort Lauderdale, and in 2013, he brought Tanya south with him. “I absolutely loved Fort Lauderdale from the start,” she says. “It was so welcoming with really nice people; a total melting pot.”

The following year, the couple made Fort Lauderdale their full-time residence. They were married three years later. Together, they opened an animal-rescue facility in their guesthouse. “It all started when my parents had kittens in our home,” Tanya confesses. In May 2019, they launched Purrr Inc., a feral cat and kitten rescue that spays, neuters, tames, and socializes the animals before finding them permanent homes.

In addition to Andrew and Tanya’s passion for philanthropy, the epic events they are known for hosting give their romantic partnership a chance to create real moonlight magic—a vehicle they use to introduce their eclectic group of friends to one another.

For Andrew’s birthday last January, the couple entertained 250 people at their estate. Over the years, they have hosted elaborately costumed extravaganzas and themed events for as many as 500 people. Taking an equal interest in party preparation, Tanya designs the table settings, organizes the themes and costumes, and makes sure guests’ needs are accommodated.   “I want the guests to enjoy the party,” she says. “I know who has an allergy or a birthday.” Andrew is the communicator and detail person, planning the socializing, invitations, and guest list.

As guests were escorted into Tanzanite ’s entry foyer—with its capiz shell floors, dark millwork, soft gold accents, and white onyx countertops—they gathered around the under-lit bar for their choice of the party’s two signature cocktails: a Patriotic Punch made of pineapple vodka, raspberry liqueur, and Blue Curacao; or the Tanzanite Smooch with blueberry vodka, acai berries, strawberry, and lemon.

The yacht’s top-floor sundeck offers guests a space to relax, with its cool blue and white cushioned seating atop teak decking, and a whirlpool bath used mainly for the couple’s cruises to the Bahamas and other islands. The space blends easy living and sophistication with its blue glass-topped bar and tall bar stools—providing ample schmoozing space, plus a large TV to show feature-length films.

While munching on passed appetizers of watermelon cups with cranberry mascarpone and grilled pineapple and lobster kabobs, guests were encouraged to engage with each other. “We mix people, then love to develop deeper relations with them at our parties,” says Andrew. “We have a diverse group of friends,” Tanya adds. “Some are liberal, and others are conservative, yet we all get along.”

“Tanya and Andrew are so gracious and attentive to every detail,” says guest Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, vice president of advancement and community relations for Nova Southeastern University and the newly appointed president of the Community Foundation of Broward County. “We always have great conversations where I learn something.”

Guest Janet Jordan, who met the couple through their work for the Humane Society of Broward County, says at a Heller party nothing goes unnoticed. “When the hosts are as comfortable as these two, it offers an atmosphere of ease for their guests,” she explains. “Their hospitality is renowned.”

Sometimes the best relationships come later in life, as Andrew and Tanya will tell you. Their chance meeting over a decade ago has given them a life full of love and the opportunity to pursue their passions—from philanthropy to party planning—together.

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Opinion Columnists | Opinion: California can lead climate change…

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Opinion Columnists | Opinion: California can lead climate change fight by cutting industry pollution

Ambitious state policies could put clean technology on factory floors, reward innovation and build new markets.

Climate change has an industrial-sized problem. The factories that produce everything from vehicles to chemicals will be America’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.  

In California, industry is the second-highest emitting economic sector , responsible for nearly a quarter of our greenhouse gas emissions. Our power sector is one of America’s cleanest, and our zero-emission vehicle requirements will dramatically cut transportation emissions. That makes industry the largest remaining hurdle to achieving our net-zero emissions target set by the 2022 California Climate Crisis Act .

Achieving our climate goals requires ambitious government policy to ensure clean industrial technologies are deployed on factory floors, reward innovative manufacturing, and build domestic markets for clean industrial products. California has pioneered several forward-thinking policies, but we can build on these to become a clean industrial leader and achieve zero-carbon industry.

For instance, the state Legislature should set a date after which newly installed industrial equipment may produce no emissions from fossil fuel combustion, akin to California requiring newly sold cars and light trucks to produce no emissions by 2035 .

2017’s Buy Clean California Act mandated state infrastructure projects prioritize steel, glass and insulation produced using low-emissions processes. The state Legislature should extend this program to additional building materials like cement, concrete and aluminum.

California should expand low-cost financing access to help manufacturers switch to clean processes. An industrial decarbonization program through the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank could provide incentives without worsening our budget deficit since financing is ultimately repaid and can come from the private sector through credit enhancements or bond sales. Meanwhile, policies to improve product longevity and quality like right-to-repair and extended producer responsibility rules can reduce waste, making the transition to clean industry faster and cheaper.

These straightforward steps would help accelerate the deployment of technologies such as green hydrogen, renewable electricity, energy and material efficiency, and electrified heating in the industrial sector. Electrical technologies like industrial heat pumps, electric resistance heaters, electric arcs and electromagnetic induction can provide the heat needed by industry, and some can achieve temperatures higher than fossil fuel combustion- — more than hot enough for any industrial process. Rolled out nationally, these technologies could slash U.S. carbon dioxide pollution by 620 million metric tons per year, equivalent to taking 138 million gasoline-powered cars off the roads or retiring 1,558 natural gas-fired power plants.

Past experience shows California can be a policy trendsetter. After California enacted its Buy Clean law, six other states enacted their own clean procurement policies, and President Biden followed suit in 2021, launching a federal Buy Clean initiative for nationwide green public procurement using the U.S. government’s annual $630 billion purchasing power.

Last August, the California Building Standards Commission established emissions limits on manufacturing materials for large commercial and school buildings. We’re the first U.S. state to consider these “embodied” emissions in our building codes.

The benefits are huge. Clean industrial technologies could prevent the 400-900 deaths, 13,000 asthma attacks, and 65,000 lost workdays currently caused by California’s industrial emissions annually. Investments in modern manufacturing technologies would grow our economy. And our communities would be safer if we cut the pollution causing wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather.

From steel fabricated without coal, to beer brewed without natural gas , to cement that sequesters carbon , an industrial revolution is unfolding. It’ll change how we make everything; it could help solve the climate crisis; and it’s happening here in California.

Jeffrey Rissman is senior director of the industry program at Energy Innovation,  a San Francisco-based nonpartisan energy and climate policy think tank. His new book is “ Zero-Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity .”

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