Searching for Llaut Cristina 

Solidarity Continues

Formentera, September 3, 2024

On August 14, a storm struck Formentera unexpectedly, causing severe damage to boats and leaving a trail of material and personal losses. Among the most striking stories from that day is that of Xicu Torres Costa, known on the island as Xicu des Moliner, a local fisherman who miraculously survived the sinking of his llaüt Cristina after spending seven hours at sea clinging to a piece of wood from his own boat.

This event not only highlighted the force of the storm but also the solidarity of the Formentera community, which came together in the search and rescue efforts until they found him alive about 5 kilometers from the coast.

Xicu des Moliner lost his beloved llaüt Cristina in the shipwreck that nearly cost him his life. The boat, measuring 6.5 meters in length, succumbed to the relentless and sudden wind gusts of astonishing intensity, which could have been the result of a downburst.

Downburst

This meteorological phenomenon is characterized by a powerful downward current of cold air that hits the surface, spreading out rapidly in all directions and generating extremely strong and unpredictable winds. A downburst occurs when the air inside a storm cloud cools rapidly due to the evaporation of precipitation, increasing its density and causing it to plummet to the ground at high speed.

This phenomenon is particularly dangerous because it can happen suddenly and with little warning, which aligns perfectly with what happened that day in Formentera and led to the sinking of many boats, including the llaüt Cristina.

Citizen Mobilization

The strong will and determination shown that day by the community of fishermen and friends of Xicu saved his life on a day that could have ended in tragedy, given the insufficient and inadequate rescue resources on Formentera, which shares a single Maritime Rescue base with the island of Ibiza. The base is already overwhelmed under normal circumstances, so one can only imagine the challenges during extreme situations like the one faced that day, where many lives were endangered at sea.

The same community that mobilized for his search has now taken on a new mission: to recover the Cristina from the bottom of the sea. Driven by the determination and camaraderie that characterized the search and rescue operation, Xicu’s fellow fishermen, friends, and family are committed to bringing back the vessel that was an essential part of Xicu’s life.

Mobilization via Whatsapp

Organized through a WhatsApp group that quickly grew to over 200 participants, they initially considered raising funds to either buy a new boat or help recover the Cristina. However, respecting Xicu’s recovery process, they kept the initiative secret during the first few weeks.

When they finally informed him of their intentions, Xicu, touched and grateful for everyone’s generosity, declined any financial donations but accepted help to first locate and then recover his llaüt.

Task Organization

Since then, a team led remotely by Pepe den Jai has been working tirelessly on the search for the Cristina.

Using Jaumet Jaume’s fishing sonar and an underwater drone managed by Jose Antonio Arribas, they are scanning a large area from the last known position of the boat to the location where they found Xicu floating.

Although the task is challenging, the Formentera community remains united, determined, and confident. When they finally succeed, they have everything prepared to bring the Cristina back home.

This effort to recover the Cristina is not just a rescue operation but also another demonstration of the solidarity and unbreakable spirit of the people of Formentera.