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![Whale vs. Boat]()
The 33-foot southern right whale soared out of the water off Cape Town, South Africa, and landed on a sailboat, snapping the mast.![Poor Eyesight]()
This species of whale navigates by sound -- and has poor eyesight -- meaning it may have simply![Boat Engine Was Off]()
"Our boat's engine was off and so the whale just didn't know we were there," Paloma Werner told the BBC.![Wrong Place, Wrong Time]()
"We were just the wrong boat, in the wrong place at the wrong time."![Watching From a Distance]()
Werner and her partner Ralph first saw the whale in the distance. They floated for an hour watching.![Just 10 Meters Away]()
"It appeared about 120 meters away from our boat and then it went under the water again," Werner told the BBC. "A few moments later, I saw it resurface just 10 meters away.![Lucky to Be Alive]()
"As soon as I realized that we were unhurt, we checked to see how much damage had been done. Luckily, we weren't taking on water so we started the engine and headed for shore. I saw the whale reappear further away. When we got back to land, I realized how lucky we were to have survived." Werner stated.![Breaching the Deck]()
"Suddenly I heard my partner shout and when I looked around, I saw the huge thing breaching on to the deck." Werner said.![Back Into the Water]()
"Instinctively, I took cover as the mast came crashing down. I saw my partner, Ralph, dive for cover behind the yacht's wheel. Then the whale slid down the side of the boat and back into the water." Werner said.Whale vs. Sailboat
A 33-foot southern right whale soared out of the water off Cape Town, South Africa, and landed on a couple's boat, snapping the mast, according to reports.
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- Whale vs. Sailboat
