Three Days Adrift in Formentera

Close to Tragedy

Formentera, June 22, 2025

On Wednesday, June 18, Mary Gavin, a 39-year-old British tourist on holiday in Formentera, disappeared after setting out alone on a boat from La Savina port. What began as a coastal outing quickly turned into an emergency when she failed to return at the scheduled time, prompting her travel companions to report her missing.

That very night, a full-scale search operation by sea, land, and air was launched, involving Maritime Rescue, the Civil Guard, and various private vessels. The lack of information about her course and intended destination made the search efforts particularly difficult and prolonged.

As time went on, there were still no signs, no communication, and no sightings of the boat. Days passed in total uncertainty. But finally, against all odds, the story took an unexpected turn.

The small motorboat she had rented, easy to handle and available without the need for a license or prior experience, proved that these kinds of adventures can become dangerous if the trip isn’t properly planned.

A Journey Without a Set Course

The British tourist showed up at a boat rental company in the port of La Savina, Formentera. She rented a small 4.62-meter motorboat, which doesn’t require a license to operate. “I’m just going for a quick ride,” she said. She gave no specific destination and set off alone at 6:30 p.m.
What was meant to be a short coastal excursion quickly became a serious cause for concern. After 8:00 p.m., the rental company noticed that neither the woman nor the boat had returned, and no contact had been made. With no word from her, the company alerted Maritime Rescue, activating the emergency search protocol.

Search by Sea, Land, and Air

From that moment, the emergency apparatus was set in motion. The Helimer 222 helicopter flew over the area, while vessels like the Salvamar Naos and the SL Posidonia patrolled nearby waters. Radio alerts were sent to all boats in the Pityusic Sea. No one had seen Mary or the cream-colored Quicksilver with a black canopy.
At the same time, the Civil Guard launched a land-based search while the Special Group for Underwater Activities (GEAS) scanned the coastline for any trace of the missing tourist. The uncertainty was overwhelming. The lack of a defined route and the boat’s limited range made every passing hour a race against time.

Silence at Sea: Days Without Answers

Days went by with no trace of her. Media coverage increased, worry intensified, and speculation multiplied. Had she had an accident? Had the engine failed? Had she been dragged out by the currents? Authorities considered every possibility.
Meanwhile, rescue teams continued their efforts. With no radio signals or coordinates, locating such a small boat was like looking for a needle in a massive haystack.

The Best Possible Ending

Just as many began to lose hope, news broke that no one had dared to expect. On Saturday, June 21, a vessel traveling the route between Mallorca and Valencia spotted a drifting boat 23 nautical miles north of Ibiza. On board was Mary Gavin — alive, visibly exhausted, but conscious. She was rescued immediately and taken to Valencia for medical attention.

The location of the find was surprising: she had drifted a considerable distance from Formentera, suggesting she had been carried out to sea by the currents over the course of several days. Her boat was later towed by Maritime Rescue to Ibiza.
Her story, which began as a simple excursion, ended as a powerful lesson on human vulnerability at sea — even when weather conditions were ideal for sailing that day.