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The story of an encounter
by Rodolphe » August 1, 2025
Rodolphe Ziegler, skipper of the RM 1070 Mirogor, recounts his adventure with orcas off the coast of the Gironde.
Good morning
Below is my account of an orca attack I suffered on July 17, 2025.
A first "attack"
On July 17, 2025, at approximately 4:15 AM, aboard the RM 1070 Mirogor at position N45°01.000 and W002°35.000, the watch officer, a highly experienced sailor, called me, indicating that he was no longer in control. The position was roughly on a San Sebastián - Belle-Île route, near the Gironde estuary.
As I was being lowered, I had the impression of seeing it move laterally several meters two or three times while it was climbing onto the deck. We could feel dull thuds under the hull…
We're sailing under sail (mainsail + genoa) at 7 knots on a starboard tack, close-hauled. I immediately think of orcas.
It's pitch black, I get out immediately, we disconnect the autopilot which was clearly struggling a lot… The tiller is spinning wildly (dangerous for the hands). The boat is doing its best, we can't see anything except a white patch on the stern.
The sequence stops very quickly, everything returns to normal, we even ask ourselves questions about the nature of what happened to us (nets caught in the appendages, sails between two waters??
We resume our journey, the boat functioning normally. There are 3 Spanish fishing boats, tuna boats, around us within a radius of 10 miles.
A second "attack"
4:30 a.m., it starts again, much more intensely. As I'm getting out, I see a large animal swimming about 50 meters to the starboard stern, and this time, I clearly see at least one orca, smaller, stationary under the stern of the boat.
With each thrust of the animal (systematically from port to starboard), the boat rises slightly and moves laterally by 4/5 meters (nighttime estimate…).
The steering wheel is uncontrollable, or very stiff when fully extended or in wild rotations.
Leaning back to get a closer look, I came face to face with the playful orca, which didn't look friendly. It caught its breath and dove back down. We could clearly hear the breathing of the other (or other) orca, which was much larger.
This lasts 3 or 4 minutes, and then stops suddenly; we see at least 2 individuals walking away from the rear…I think there were 3.
The help of seafarers
I take the helm (a bit stiff) and bear away 20° to cover ground as quickly as possible and get away from the area.
My teammate checked that we hadn't taken on any water; everything was dry and seemed intact. We contacted CROSSA Etel to inform them of the situation and our position.
They respond to us immediately, putting us under surveillance and asking us to contact them every hour, or more if necessary.
A sailboat named "MACIF 35" which was on a parallel route a few miles behind us offered assistance if needed; we advised them at the time to move off course, but they followed us all day, thank you to them.
The Spanish fishermen didn't lift a finger...
We are resuming our navigation
For the next 6 hours we steer, the boat sails well, the slightest noise reminding us of a breath on the stern makes us react.
Our destination is La Rochelle. We are confirming this in order to potentially haul the boat out of the water; we don't know if the rudder is intact or bent, whole, or if any parts are damaged.
At 10:30, coinciding with a predicted wind shift, we tacked. The wind picked up, and on the port tack, the helm was very firm and we had a loud creaking noise under our feet, but still no water intake.
We decided to continue under engine power with the mainsail as a backup to ease the strain on the helm and the pilot.
Direct route to La Rochelle, we pass Chassiron around 9pm. No one else is on the water at the Minimes port, the CROSSA which is still monitoring us offers SNSM assistance for our arrival in port which we refuse
And miraculously, we regain control and find that the ship is back to "normal".
The findings
The following morning we contacted the insurance company and Mr. Maxime Owczarek, head of after-sales service at Grand Large Service.
He immediately took charge, suggesting that the boat be taken out during the day (it was Friday) to assess the situation.
Port handling service refused, full schedule, no availability until the following Thursday…we should have told them we had a leak!
Mr. Owczarek, furious, decides to bring a diver to the site and arrives at the same time
The diver surveyed the boat, taking photographs, particularly of the appendages, keel, and rudder. He noted scuff marks on the hull and chips in the gelcoat on the top of the rudder and the slightly damaged trailing edge. The grounding keel is intact…make of that what you will.
He manipulates the rudder in every direction; there is no play, neither laterally nor vertically.
MR OWCZAREK sneaks into the lockers, into the hold, checks all the moving parts, the sealing of the whole, the upper ball joint to ensure the rudder is properly held.
He finds nothing alarming and assures us that we can continue sailing without any particular concerns.
He gave us a written report within half an hour with photos, authorizing us to continue.
He lists for us what needs to be done when we take the boat out of the water (list of tasks, rudder removal, checking the straightness of the rudder stock, checking the ball joints and bushings, checking the rudder stock… adjusting the autopilot and replacing all damaged or suspect parts
If the rudder shaft is even slightly bent, the rudder must be replaced.
He is ready to assist the site in charge and to provide the parts if necessary, he never insisted on intervening himself, but offered to do so.
His report was provided to the insurer as is…
Return to Port La Forêt
We sailed back with winds up to 25/27 knots...W/NW of course
No problems except for some creaking beyond a certain bar angle.
Conclusion
The boat seems quite sturdy considering how violent it was (more so than what you get from watching videos).
We don't understand why they stopped suddenly (a snack bar nearby, tuna?)
The rudder was almost intact despite them having worked on it for quite some time...
The CROSS was efficient and reassuringly present (I sent a message to management who officially replied).
We were very pleasantly surprised by Mr. Owczarek, his involvement, availability and competence.
The crew remained calm; there wasn't much to do, and despite the stress, everything was ready to evacuate the boat.
If you have any questions, I remain available.
Rodolphe Ziegler
RM 1070 Mirogor
Port La Forêt
