A yachtsman in South Africa says her trip off the country's picturesque southwestern coast was wrecked by an unexpected whack from a whale.
Paloma Werner said Wednesday the whale breached just meters from their boat in Cape Town's waters on Sunday.
The whale whacked the yacht, snapping the mast in two. A local newspaper showed a photo, captured by a passenger on a nearby boat, of a massive black whale towering over the yacht.
Ms Werner was out with Ralph Mothes, who owns the Cape Town Sailing Academy.
She says the whale was within 90 metres when it submerged to reappear just 20 metres away.
"Then I just saw this huge whale crash onto our yacht," she told ABC News.
Ms Werner told ABC News she was able to seek refuge underneath the coach house, while Mr Mothes shielded himself behind the steering wheel.
Ms Werner says neither she nor her companion were hurt, and she saw the whale swimming around minutes after the collision. She says she feels lucky that the mast took the brunt of the blow.
She described the encounter as “a freak accident” and says the whale was just enjoying itself in the water.
The seas around Cape Town are teeming with whales and great white sharks during the winter months, which fall in the middle of the year.
AP / 3 News