Humpback whale drags sailing boat 1.5nm out to sea

10:01 AM Tue 11 Oct 2011 GMT

'Whale in towing mode (left), the sailing boat, and Nerida Higgins who took video shots of the incident' . Click Here to view large photo

Everyone knows that humpback whales are numerous during the migration season, and whales are known not to be aggressive against humans, but two holidaying sailors on their yacht off Fraser Island on Australia's Queensland coast hardly knew what to think when a whale grabbed their anchor rope in its mouth and dragged them out to sea.

Glenn Wilson and Nerida Higgins told Sky News they were enjoying a quiet evening moored in their yacht when the incident happened.

The frightening trip lasted 15 minutes as their boat was dragged 1.5 nm out to sea.

The couple called nearby boats, the coast guard and even police for help but all to no avail. None of the authorities would take them seriously.

'I don't think he believed me - I think they thought we'd had a few drinks of something,' Ms Higgins said.

When a second humpback whale took the rope in its mouth, the couple decided to cut the line, fearing their boat would get smashed up.

'We were hoping to see some whales but not actually that close,' Mr Wilson said.

The incident was captured on video by Ms Higgins, a bump in the night they will never forget.

by Sky News/Sail-World Cruising

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Cruising #Sailing

Foiling
	IQ foil take off speed
	Windfoil in the waves
	starboard mast/fuselage connection should there be any play
	New Moz Custom
	I just can't see when I'm foiling
	SLX 180 stab ucs
Gear Reviews
	Don't like how Quatro quads surf
	Severne Gator vs Blade 4,5m
Gps and Speed talk
	Another DIY GPS logger approach
	Mini Motion - Not turning off

Humpback whale drags sailing boat 1.5nm out to sea

Windsurfing Forum Topics

Buy & Sell

2016 Sunova Sunova Speeed 8’2” X 103L Surf Sup

2019 SIC Rs

2022 Duotone Slick

2023 Cocmic Craft

2018 Nobile Nhp

2018 Ozone Enduro

2025 North Sonar Dw820 And S192 - Options

Weather

Activities

About

Support