MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Whale jumps and crashes on deck, almost sinking yacht off South Africa

The whole sequence was caught from other vessels

A couple of whale watchers off the South African coast got more than they bargained for. Various media outlets are reporting that a whale breached the surface of the ocean just metres away from the boat of Paloma Werner near Cape Town on Sunday.

Werner and her partner Ralph Mothes, both experienced sailors, were watching the 40-ton whale from a distance on Sunday when it slid closer to their 10-metre vessel.

Werner told CNN she expected the whale to swim under the boat. But the whale had other plans: it crashed into the boat, snapping the mast in two, but neither Werner nor Mothes were hurt.

“I just saw this huge whale come out of the water and crash against the mast of our yacht,” Werner said, according to an Australian Broadcasting Corp. report.

“He ducked behind the steering wheel and we saw the whale go back into the water and the mast and the rigging all came flying towards us. It was quite a scary experience.”

Southern right whales have small eyes and poor sight and rely on hearing to avoid danger.

Werner theorized that because her boat's engine was off, the whale probably couldn't hear them and took the leap not knowing they were there.

The whale didn't appear to be hurt in the accident. The couple's boat wasn't so lucky. Werner estimates it will cost 13,000 US dollars to repair.

A passenger on a nearby boat took a spectacular photo of the event, just prior to the whale smashing into the boat. Werner reportedly said she feels lucky that no further damage was done.

South African authorities are trying to determine if the whale had been harassed.