What It Was Like — "Whales Are Sinking Boats and No One Knows Why"

Podcast: What It Was Like
Host: Julian Morgans (Superreal)
Guest: Robert Powell (Yachtsman, survivor of orca attack)
Date: March 13, 2026

Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the true story of Robert Powell, a British yachtsman whose sailboat was attacked and sunk by a pod of killer whales (orcas) off the coast of Portugal. Framed by a global mystery—why orcas in this region have begun methodically attacking boats—the episode provides a firsthand account of terror, survival, and the chilling intelligence of these animals. Host Julian Morgans probes both the emotional and practical dimensions of surviving such an event, while hinting at the broader ecological and scientific questions at play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mysterious Surge in Orca Attacks

• Background:

  • Since 2020, a pod of Iberian orcas has been attacking boats off Spain and Portugal, often targeting the rudder.
  • At least 250 vessels have been damaged and at least five sunk; the real number is likely higher ([03:10]).
  • The reason for these attacks remains unknown, though some scientists see it as a cultural "fad" among orcas.

• Notable Insight:

  • Orcas are known for short-lived trends, but this destructive behavior has persisted over at least five years—unprecedented among whale populations.
  • Attacks are not widely reported, possibly due to economic concerns or reluctance to alarm the public ([07:07], [25:51]).

2. Robert Powell’s Journey & First Encounter with Orca Threat

• Setting the Scene:

  • Rob buys a boat in England and sails it to Portugal. Early in the trip, his Polish skipper warns of orca dangers, which Rob initially dismisses ([04:56]).
  • He learns that sailing close to the coast, based on the theory that orcas won't enter shallower water, does not guarantee safety.

• First Trouble Signs:

  • Hears frantic radio chatter (“get these black fish away from me!”) among Portuguese fishermen, indicating regular orca presence ([06:31]).
  • Over time, orca “interactions” become a known and tracked risk for sailors, though official reporting remains sparse ([08:26]).

3. The Day of the Attack: Detailed Account

• The Crew:
  • 2024 journey includes Rob, an Italian crew member, and “James,” a local homeless man who cannot swim ([10:52],[10:58]).
• Precautions:
  • Rob arms the boat with fireworks, “depredation pingers,” and plans to cross orca territory during daylight ([09:28]).
• Build-up:
  • Heavy fishing vessel presence noted—Rob speculates overfishing may play a role in orca behavior ([11:58]).

The Attack (Starting ~[13:07])

• Initial Signs:

  • A loud bang during Rob’s nap; realizes it’s not a collision with debris ([13:07]).
  • Sees two black shapes—juvenile orcas violently shaking the rudder ([13:45]).
  • “They were grabbing the rudder in their teeth and throwing their whole body weight…” ([13:45], Rob).

• Escalation:

  • Defence mechanisms (pingers, fireworks) have no effect; nothing deters the orcas ([14:52]).
  • “They just kept coming at the rudder and coming at the rudder, always at the rudder…” ([15:22], Rob).
  • A third, larger juvenile joins; eventually, two more full-sized orcas appear, totaling five ([16:18], [18:39]).

• The Orcas’ Tactics:

  • The attack is coordinated and relentless; Rob compares it to a military operation:
    • "If you were to say it was a military operation, the efficiency and the degree of discipline... It was phenomenal." ([23:05], Rob).

• On Crew Reactions:

  • “James was absolutely terrified.” The Italian crewmember remains calm, while Rob manages logistics and calls for help ([16:49], [25:06]).

• Coast Guard Response:

  • Spanish Coast Guard instructs not to launch the life raft (fear orcas may attack it) ([24:37]).
  • Revealed Rob's boat is the sixth attacked that week on that stretch: “Three sunk, three not sunk” ([25:06]).

The Sinking ([23:10] onward)

• Critical Moment:

  • After breaking the rudder, orcas start ramming the hull and keel; water begins to flood in ([23:10], [24:02]).
  • Rob’s biggest concern is keeping James safe.
  • As the boat lists and fills with water, Spanish rescue arrives; all three crew are safely evacuated as the “Titanic-like” sinking unfolds ([30:26]).

• Aftermath:

  • James loses all possessions and is devastated; Rob reflects on personal loss vs. James’s deeper hardship ([31:14]).
  • James is later helped to safety and resettled with assistance from Rob and the Italian crewmember ([31:14]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Orcas:
  • “I have no doubt they knew exactly what they were doing. I think they know that a rudder steers a boat, and once they break the rudder, the boat is at their mercy.” — Rob ([23:10])
  • “It was very spooky… It really was like a military exercise: light bang, swim around, bang. And they didn’t stop.” — Rob ([23:08], [30:23])
• On Official Response:
  • “You're the sixth one this week. Three sunk, three not sunk.” — Spanish rescue worker ([25:06])
• On Survival:
  • “When you can’t swim and you’re on a boat that’s just been attacked by killer whales and is sinking, I would say that’s probably about as frightening as life can get.” — Rob ([27:04])
  • “He [James] was lucky—up until this point… But wait, wait for the rest of the story.” — Rob ([10:58])
• On Motivation Speculation:
  • “If you want to see a real change in behavior, then take the food away. And I think we’ve overfished the waters. I might be wrong… but that’s my hunch.” — Rob ([41:14])
  • “It felt calculated, not angry… not malicious. They just seemed hellbent on doing what they were doing.” — Rob ([39:26])
• On Secrecy & Impact:
  • “It does seem that they seem very reluctant to report on it… I don’t know how official that is, but it does seem strange.” — Rob ([07:07])
  • “I was in every newspaper. The pictures are very dramatic. Just as I was about to feel really sorry for myself losing my boat…it dawns on you that I haven’t lost everything. He [James] has lost everything.” ([31:14])

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:10] – Host outlines the scale and unknown motives behind the orca boat attacks
• [04:56] – Rob describes being warned about orcas for the first time
• [06:31] – Hears warning radio chatter of orcas from fishing boats
• [09:28] – Discusses efforts to prepare and arm the boat against orcas
• [13:07] – The attack begins; loud bang wakes Rob
• [14:52] – Defensive actions with pingers, fireworks prove ineffective
• [16:18]-[18:39] – Third juvenile and then adult orcas join; attack escalates
• [23:05] – Compares coordinated attack to a “military operation”
• [23:10]-[24:02] – Water ingress detected, calls Mayday
• [25:06] – Coast Guard reveals the frequency of attacks that week
• [30:26] – Rescue arrives; the boat sinks dramatically
• [31:14] – Reflection on loss, helping James

Broader Questions & Reflections

• Organized Intelligence: The orcas displayed discipline, focus, and even selection of the boat’s structural vulnerabilities. Their lack of reaction to deterrents hints at learned, intentional behavior.
• Possible Motives: Rob and Julian debate scientific and emotional explanations—revenge, play, learned hunting—but Rob concludes depletion of food supply (overfishing) could be the real trigger.
• Official Reluctance: Both the Spanish government and Coast Guard seem to downplay the scale of the attacks, possibly to protect tourism and economic interests.
• Future Risks: Rob worries that if orcas begin attacking fishing vessels, human retaliation could follow: “When something interferes with them, they try to get rid of them” ([40:14]).
• Resolution: Both guest and host are left questioning what humanity’s next move should be, with Julian suggesting reduced fishing in affected waters ([41:50]).

Conclusion

This episode delivers a gripping, granular account of a little-understood phenomenon, exploring human vulnerability, animal intelligence, and environmental consequences. Rob’s story is both suspenseful and revealing, while Julian’s probing and speculation add depth to the mystery. For further exploration, the episode teases a follow-up with marine scientist Dr. Naomi Rose for subscribers.