Sailboats stranded in Cavall d’en Borràs

Consell takes responsibility for their removal

Formentera, May 1, 2025

After more than eight months of abandonment, the two sailboats stranded on the beach of Cavall d’en Borràs will finally be removed by the Consell Insular of Formentera before June. The decision comes after the lack of response from the owners and the confirmation that the local administration holds the authority to act.

The two boats, the sailboats Helisara VI and Scipio1924, ran aground on the coast of Formentera as a result of the violent DANA (isolated high-level depression) that hit the island on August 14, 2024. Since then, they have remained abandoned in the Cavall d’en Borràs area: one next to the restaurant Molí de Sal and the other near sa Sèqui.

Over these more than 250 days, the presence of the boats has caused discontent among locals and visitors, while also degrading the natural landscape of one of the most iconic coastal areas of Formentera.

According to Verónica Castelló, Vice President and Consellera of the Environment, both owners have been identified. The Consell has officially notified them of their responsibility to remove the sailboats, but no formal response has been received.

Owners located, but no response

In the case of Scipio1924, it has been made public that its owner is a Belgian citizen who is reportedly facing financial difficulties that prevent him from covering the removal costs.
Initially, the Consell stated that the cost of removing both boats was “unaffordable” for an island-level institution, as it is estimated at over 100,000 euros. However, after seeking intervention from other authorities such as the Maritime Authority, State Coastal Office, and the Natural Park, all of them indicated that the responsibility lies with the Consell itself, as the vessels are considered abandoned waste.

Given the owners’ inaction and after receiving confirmation that it has the legal authority to intervene, the Consell has decided to act directly, with the intention of later passing the costs on to the legal owners.

Helisara VI: a sailboat with history

Regarding the larger vessel, Helisara VI, stranded next to Es Molí de Sal, it is known that its current owner has also been notified, though no response has been received. This 23-meter-long sailboat has a notable history, as one of its previous owners was the renowned Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan.

Since the day it ran aground on the rocky western coast of Formentera, the sailboat has visibly deteriorated and has been the target of several looting incidents. Its current state reflects its abandonment and the urgent need to proceed with its definitive removal to prevent further environmental damage in a particularly sensitive area like the Ses Salines Natural Park.