Palma.Shipping company Balearia was busy yesterday morning in its efforts to get its stranded ferry Maverick Dos off the rocks of the islet of Sa Torreta close to Formentera.
The vessel had run aground there on Wednesday evening with 27 people on board (21 passengers and 6 crew), 25 of whom were taken to safety by Maritime Rescue services whilst the captain and first officer remained on board to assess the damage.
Maritime Rescue confirmed in a statement yesterday that the passengers and four crew members were picked up by the ship Salvmar Markab with the aid of personnel from a specialist diving company Servicio Subacuaticos, and the maritime branch of the Guardia Civil (GEAS).
The rescue operation was given further support at sea by Maritime Service vessel Marta Mata , and from the air by a Helimer 211 helicopter. It did not prove necessary, however, to airlift anyone from the Maverick Dos to safety in the port of La Savina on Formentera, the statement said.
Mayday call
The entire rescue operation on Wednesday night had been coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Centre in Palma which reports to Central Government.
The Centre had been alerted late in the evening on Wednesday by coastal radio station Ibiza Radio, which is owned by Abertis-Telecom, that a ferry, Maverick Dos, operated by the Balearia shipping company had run aground in the area of the Islet of Sa Torreta off Formentera.
After being alerted to the emergency, Maritime Rescue put out calls for assistance to shipping in the area through Ibiza Radio. Two vessels, the Arlequin Rojo and Formentera Jet which were sailing near the stranded vessel at the time, responded.
No comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Currently there are no comments.