A French-flagged sailboat lost its rudder "after an interaction with orcas, 3.5 nautical miles (approximately six kilometres) from the port of Peniche," in the district of Leiria, AMN said in a statement, reported by NM.

According to the National Maritime Administration (AMN), after the alert was issued at 2:27 pm yesterday, the Peniche Lifeguard Service was dispatched to the scene and assisted the five crew members on board, "who were physically well and did not require medical assistance."

"Due to the damage caused to the sailboat's rudder," the vessel was towed to Peniche by the Lifeguard Service to "minimise the risk to navigational safety," the AMN stated in its statement.

The vessel will undergo an inspection "to ensure its sailing conditions" and will only then be allowed to sail again.