Between Lisbon and Gibraltar, there are about 300 nautical miles. on the south side of the path, there is the main shipping route from the Mediterranean Sea to Western Europe. Between this major shipping route and the coast is a body of water attracting tuna and all sort of fish. Behind those schools of fishes are the Orcas. These very large and gorgeous marin mammals have been causing a lot of concerns to sail boats like Avel Vaez as they tend to come and bite the rudders and appendices of the boats they find on their way.
We have on board two anti-depredation pingers. These will be set in the water in case these animals come close, and we hope this will have a repulsive effect. They emit on 40kHz at 175 db.
The marin mammals have attacked four boats these past few days. The attacks were along the coast near Cape Saint Vincente. The strategy is either to sail very close to the shore, less than 20m water depth. Or sail near the main traffic lines away from the fishing zones. With so many encounters near shore the past days, it was decided to set sail toward the main sailing route and stay offshore until Gibraltar.
Good luck…!
