Unlike the shipping sector, there is no requirement for systematic reporting for strikes at sea within the sailing world, so interactions with orcas, whales and other marine life often only appear in the news cycle when they impact a boat’s sporting performance.

Therefore, according to the latest data from the marine strike log maintained by the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG), collated from sources such as the International Whale Commission, and media reports, more than 50% of all collisions reported result in damage to the vessel and/or its crew, as well as possible injury or death to marine life.

© Amory Ross/11th Hour Racing

Whale collision hotspots

In 2008, Ritter published the first comprehensive paper on collisions between sailing vessels and marine life.

The MMAG is seeking to build on this data to reflect the true scale of collisions, to create a ‘global strike log’ to identify collision hotspots and ‘reduce the risk together’.

Building a global strike log database is “key to understanding where the hot spots are that need to be avoided”.

Founded in 2022, the MMAG is a coalition of stakeholders, which collaborates across the marine industry to advance technical innovations, improve risk assessments, encourage live reporting and citizen science, build education and outreach initiatives.

© Amory Ross/11th Hour Racing

Damian Foxall, professional offshore sailor, co-founder and coordinator of the MMAG, said: “We’d like to thank in advance everyone who takes the time to complete this survey.

“Seafarers are the eyes and ears of the scientific community, by sharing our observations we build a better understanding of our impact on ocean life and can use this knowledge to inform better practices as we shift our role from being ocean users to ocean stewards.”

The MMAG is requesting all sailors who have experienced a whale collision or strike at sea with other marine life to report their experience via the survey link.

And for everyone to share this survey with sailing friends, crews and clubs: mmag.world/marine-strike-log-survey

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