Shipwreck in Es Caló 

Another Accident on the Coast of Formentera

Formentera, September 28, 2024

Undoubtedly, this summer of 2024 has seen such a high number of maritime accidents that it exceeds all previous records. To this list, we now add the incident that took place early this morning when a 15-meter-long French-flagged sailboat ran aground on the rocks of Ses Platgetes beach, just a short distance from the town of Es Caló.

It was probably this proximity to the town, along with a series of fortunate coincidences, that allowed the only crew member of the vessel to survive and be able to tell the tale after being admitted to the hospital in Formentera with hypothermia and in a complete state of shock.

Despite warnings of strong northeast winds—which directly affect the area of Es Carnatge, where the sailboat and its crew had anchored the previous afternoon—the boat remained in the area, resulting in terrible consequences for both the vessel and this part of the Formentera coast.

Chronology of Eventss

At 5:00 a.m., with still more than two hours to go before dawn broke over the horizon of Formentera, Mariano Castelló, a local resident of Es Caló, got up like he did on any other holiday morning, determined to go out hunting with his podencos.
The gusts of wind were strong, but Mariano did not change his usual walk. First, he took a stroll through the area of Es Caló’s boatyards, then headed along the walkway to Ses Platgetes, despite the complete darkness that covers the island at that hour of the morning.

Alarm in the Night

It was then that something broke the reigning darkness: an intermittent red flash—a distress light in case of shipwreck—appeared on the rocks of Ses Platgetes. A signal of location and help.
With his heart pounding, Mariano dashed towards the point where he could see the intermittent flash, and despite the limited light from his headlamp, he managed to make out a sailboat being violently slammed against the rocks just a few meters from the shore.
Next to the vessel, a lifeboat was caught in the ship’s lines, unable to reach the beach and being tossed violently by the waves against the rocks and what was left of the sailboat’s hull.

Help from the neighbors

Mariano ran back to Es Caló to wake his neighbor Joan Torres Mayans and his family members. Without hesitation, they all headed quickly towards Ses Platgetes, hoping to find the sailboat’s crew and help in any way they could. Upon reaching the beach, they called 112 to report the emergency.
Soon after, local police, the Guardia Civil, and firefighters arrived at the scene, awaiting the arrival of the Maritime Rescue vessel from Ibiza.
All those present tried to detect any movement that might indicate the presence of the crew, but amid the storm spray and the blinding flashing emergency light from the raft, they couldn’t spot anyone.
It was then that Joel, just 14 years old, Joan’s son, claimed he had heard a groan coming from the raft.
Although one of the police officers initially attributed it to the roar of the wind, the young man’s persistence about what he had heard led them to confirm that indeed there was someone in the raft—a shipwrecked person barely able to emit a desperate moan.

Risky Rescue

They immediately contacted Maritime Rescue again, this time requesting a rescue helicopter. However, the delay in its arrival and the critical condition of the castaway led the Formentera fire team to make a brave and risky decision: to attempt the rescue on their own.
Despite the strong waves and the evident danger for whoever had to jump into the raft, the firefighters went into the sea, following Joan’s directions—who knew the area well.
Thanks to the determination and coordination of the emergency team, along with the support of the neighbors, they managed to bring the castaway to shore around 7:10 in the morning.
The sailboat’s crew member was found in understandable shock, showing clear signs of hypothermia after spending nearly four hours in the raft—soaked and with his muscles stiffened from the cold and the fear he had experienced.

A happy ending for all

Fortunately, the crew member was rescued safely, thanks to the swift and courageous actions of Mariano, Joan, Joel, Loles, the firefighters, and the security forces, who worked with great coordination and determination. Thanks to their effort and dedication, the rescue was completed without anyone getting hurt. The efficiency and commitment of all these individuals were crucial in avoiding a greater tragedy and ensuring that the affected person emerged unharmed from this dire situation.

However, the coast of Ses Platgetes is today paying the price for the shipwreck. The sailboat, trapped among the treacherous rocks, has been battered endlessly by the force of the waves. The constant pounding has gradually caused the boat to break apart, shattering into countless pieces that now litter the shore. Debris from the ship lies scattered across the beach, with pieces of wood, metal, and other materials that once made up the vessel’s structure visible in the water—creating a desolate scene.
Local authorities and cleanup crews are already working to collect the fragments and minimize the environmental impact, but it is a slow and challenging process as the current wind and rough sea continue to spread the debris along this section of coast. The image of the boat being destroyed serves as a reminder of the power of the sea and the consequences of ignoring warnings.

Responsibility at Sea

This incident makes me reflect on the increasing number of nautical accidents occurring on the coasts of Formentera due to a lack of attention to weather forecasts. Not only are the lives of crew members put at risk, but also the safety of emergency teams and the natural balance of our island.

As a friend said to me today, when there’s snow on the mountain roads and you don’t have chains, the Guardia Civil doesn’t let you continue driving. The question that arises is: why don’t we demand the same level of responsibility from recreational boaters? We need to begin implementing stricter regulations for those who choose to sail without considering the weather conditions. Only then can we prevent these accidents and protect both people and the nature around us.

I don’t wish to be overly critical in this particular case, and the crew member may well have had a reason for being anchored in the area despite the unfavorable forecast that had warned of these strong winds for days. But, unfortunately, this is not the first time—nor will it be the last—that such accidents occur on our coasts. The risk is very high, both for the crew and for the good-hearted people mentioned in this article who do not hesitate to risk their lives to save others.