WATCH: John O'Groats ferry crew joined by orcas in Pentland Firth: 'I think they were as happy to see us as we were to see them!'
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Crew members on the John O'Groats ferry were out in the Pentland Firth this week ahead of the new season when they were joined by some unexpected onlookers – a group of killer whales.
An estimated half a dozen orcas, including a very young calf, came alongside the boat, giving the crew time to stop and take photos and videos.
The encounter happened on Tuesday as the ferry was heading back to John O'Groats from Burwick on South Ronaldsay.
Skipper Ivor Thomas said: “We were just returning from Burwick having done some maintenance work in preparation for the season when we saw a pod of orcas on our starboard bow.
“We stopped the props and the pod approached us. There were about six orca in total – one very young calf and a slightly older calf and four others, possibly females or perhaps two young males among them.
“The young males and females look quite similar so it’s difficult to distinguish between them, but there certainly didn’t appear to be a larger bull.
"They swam towards us and then appeared right alongside and some of the crew managed to take videos at very close range.
"We lost them from sight for a time and then they appeared back at the boat again. I think they were as happy to see us as we were to see them!
"We start our wildlife cruises on May 1 this year – that’s earlier than usual – so it’s a good sign for the season ahead, we feel. Also, the annual Orca Watch starts at the end of May and it will be getting people quite excited.”
Fred Fermor of John O'Groats Ferries said: “ All of our full-time crew were on board, and some of the seasonal crew too.
“It was a great boost for everyone on board.”
- Video by William Bremner
