Audio By Carbonatix
A couple on a whale-watching trip off Cape Town, South Africa, say they had a lucky escape when a 10m (33ft) specimen leapt on to their yacht.
The southern right whale, a species known for poor eyesight, snapped the mast before sliding back into the water, said Paloma Werner.
She and her partner had just seconds to take cover, she said. A nearby tourist caught the moment on camera.
"I still like whales," Ms Werner told the BBC afterwards.
The southern right whale navigates by sound, leading Ms Werner to suspect it was an accident.
"Our boat's engine was off and so the whale just didn't know we were there," she said.
"We were just the wrong boat, in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Ms Werner and her companion Ralph Mothes had headed out to Table Bay on their yacht in fine weather before catching sight of the whale in the distance.
Cutting the engine, they floated for an hour watching the whale, she told the BBC.
"It appeared about 120m away from our boat and then it went under the water again.
"A few moments later, I saw it resurface just 10m away.
"Suddenly I heard my partner shout and when I looked around, I saw the huge thing breaching on to the deck.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
NADMO dismisses claims residents were not warned before Weija Dam spillage
1 hour -
Government begins payment of 2020 batch of nurses and midwives arrears
1 hour -
Controversial anti-LGBTQ bill presented to Parliament for second reading
1 hour -
Deloitte Partner urges clear, consistent policies to govern mining license renewals, local content
2 hours -
Xenophobic attacks: Ghana must pursue justice for victims beyond evacuation – Bosome Freho MP
2 hours -
BOPP positions sustainable agribusiness as investment frontier
2 hours -
Ga Mantse demands action against chiefs selling lands on waterways
2 hours -
South African Tourism condemns anti-immigrant attacks, reassures African travellers
2 hours -
APSU 2002 Year Group announces key leadership appointments for 97th anniversary hosting & BOLT Steering Committee
2 hours -
Government backs hybrid model for Ghana’s extractive sector, rejects move to shut out foreign investors
2 hours -
LMWG commends Heath Goldfields on 5-year community development plan for Prestea
3 hours -
Eswatini champions SiSwati stories in digital age at World Book Day 2026
3 hours -
Only weak men forgive cheating partner – Yul Edochie
3 hours -
Meta repeatedly snubs EU body over Facebook and Instagram user bans
3 hours -
Family wealth should be viewed as asset class for building transgenerational enterprises – Alex Dadey
3 hours