http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2661691.stm
I give you my highlights:
" French sailors taking part in the round-the-world Jules Verne Trophy say they have come across one of the most elusive monsters of the sea: the giant squid. Veteran yachtsman Olivier De Kersauson, ..., said that several hours into his voyage he found that a giant squid had clamped on to the hull of his boat. "
Jules Verne Trophy --> giant sQuid !! sounds fishy to me...
"Olivier de Kersauson said the sighting occurred off the Portuguese island of Madeira. "I saw a tentacle through a porthole," Olivier de Kersauson said from his boat. "It was thicker than my leg and it was really pulling the boat hard." The squid has long flaps of muscle attached to each arm Mr de Kersauson says two of the tentacles were blocking the rudder. ... The French sailor says the squid released its grip when he stopped the boat.
Note to self: sail near Madeira island for sighting. The sQuid must have really been wrapped around the boat with 2 arms around rudder and 2 around boat portholes (for the record squid have 8 arms and 2 tenticles that are longer than arms, so I think this article isn't being very clear on arm/tenticles). But how amaZing to see a live and active squid taking you on! I can only assume the boat reminded the squid of sperm whale. Guess the sQuid like wriggling whales, and not dead ones... quick release, or the rudder and pulling caused some damage. Article includes picture of dead squid, but lets make it clear, the real culprit is out there, swimming free and ready to strike a new boat.
"Mr de Kersauson says the squid must have been seven or eight metres (22 to 26 feet) long. ... Only about 250 sightings - mostly of dead animals - have ever been recorded."
250 recordings ever!! and this sailor was one of them. ~jealous~
Truthfully, what would I do in this situation? 1) observe and photograph (keeping boat moving apparently is key) 2) slow boat and see if sQuid goes away 3) do not fight squid - i think the squid vs. boat would win, and tipping a sail boat is bad, very bad....
Well, it has been a long time since I have added to this blog. Giant sQuid story has re-energized me :)
