Maritime Rescue reinforces its summer operations in the Balearic with more vessels and staff

Maritime Rescue has reinforced their operations in the Balearics, with the incorporation of the Guardamar Concepción Arenal in Ibiza, and the increasement of the availability of Rescue speed boats operated by Cruz Roja in Formentera, Ibiza and Menorca.

In a press release, Transport and Sustainable Mobility Ministry has informed that Maritime Rescue, society dependent on the Ministry through the General Direction of the Merchant Marine, reinforces its operations in the Balearics to attend the increment of the nautical activity during the summer, as well as the emergency interventions generated by rescues at sea.

The most significant reinforcement was announced by general director of Merchant Marine and president of Maritime Rescue, Ana Núñez, this week in Mahón, due to the divulgation act of the Recreational Seamanship Security campaign. This is an incorporation of the Guardamar Concepción Arenal, which transferred to Ibiza at the end of June. This is one of the five rescue patrols with which Maritime Rescue operates all over Spain. These types of vessels do not have a fixed base, but they are placed strategically where they are most necessary.

The Guardamar-type Maritime Rescue patrol vessels are aluminum-built boats measuring between 32 and 40 meters in length. They are equipped with two high-performance diesel engines that allow them to reach speeds of 27 knots and have a range of up to 1,000 nautical miles. Each vessel has a permanent crew of eight people on board. According to the Ministry, these are highly versatile vessels that ensure an immediate and efficient response to any SAR (Search and Rescue) operation that may arise.

With the reinforcements in place, the Maritime Rescue operation in the Balearic Islands, coordinated from the Palma Coordination and Rescue Center, now includes six Salvamares, one Guardamar, one tugboat, one helicopter, and four rescue boats operated in collaboration with the Spanish Red Cross. In addition, Maritime Rescue continuously monitors activity to determine whether further reinforcements may be needed.

In Formentera, where there is a significant seasonal peak in recreational boating and rescue emergencies for other vessels at sea, a rescue boat has been added that will be operational every day of the week until September 15th.

Meanwhile, the rescue boat based in Sant Antoni de Portmany (Ibiza) has extended its crew's on-site availability to 24 hours a day from June 1st to September 15th, enabling a quicker response to incidents at sea.

In Menorca, rescue boat crew availability has also been extended to include Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, this unit has been relocated from Maó to Fornells to provide broader coastal coverage of Menorca in coordination with Maritime Rescue vessels based in Maó and Ciutadella.

These rescue boats (LS), used to reinforce seasonal locations and operated by the Spanish Red Cross, are particularly well-suited for handling emergencies in coastal waters due to their shallow draft, according to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. They complement the work of other units like Salvamares and Guardamares, which can operate further from shore.

These reinforcements are made possible thanks to a cooperation agreement between Maritime Rescue and the Spanish Red Cross, which began in 1995 and was renewed in February 2024. The agreement allows more than 44 vessels, 47 during the summer season, operated by the Spanish Red Cross and deployed across Spain to form a rapid rescue network focused on coastal waters, manned by Spanish Red Cross volunteers. This ensures collaboration and complementarity with Maritime Rescue’s human and material resources.