The Civil Guard rescued four crew members a French sailboat which was left adrift and carried by strong waves towards the rocks in the northern part of the Tabarca Island.
The incident occurred in the midnight last October 8when the boat’s crew, made up of two women and two men of French nationality, requested urgent help via a radio alert, according to a press release from the armed institute.
The sailboat, more than ten meters long, was without engine and was forcefully dragged towards an area of rocks where another similar vessel had recently capsized.
The dangerous situation, due to strong gusts of wind and poor sea conditions, made maneuvering in the area very difficult.
A patrol of Maritime Service of the Civil Guard of Alicantewho was carrying out specialized work nearby, received a pan-pan call (call for help) over the radio.
Officers immediately responded to the request for help and were on site as quickly as possible.
When they arrived, they could hear the screams of the crew, who asked for help at the mercy of the waves and as he approached the rocks.
The Civil Guard, despite the sea conditions and the risk of the maneuver, managed to throw a rope and tow the boat to an area out of danger.
The rescue team continued to maneuver with difficulty until they managed to overcome the Cape of Santa Pola (Alicante)where weather conditions have improved.
At 1:30 a.m.the sailboat was towed to the port of this city, where medical assistance was requested for one of the crew members, who had suffered a cut on his arm.
Finally, at 2:30 a.m.officers concluded the rescue. The crew remained in a safe area and the sailboat was moored at the Marina Miramar gas station.
