Four people of German nationality were rescued on November 13 in the area of The Headin it coastline of El Médano (Granadilla de Abona). The rapid action of the surveillance and rescue service provided Red Crosswho observed the incident and removed the passengers, was key to ensuring the lives of this group that was on board the sailboat.
The 12-meter-long Sea Pearl, however, carried a heavy load that raised fears of an environmental disaster. Up to 250 liters of diesel fuel accumulated in the boat, which she had turned into El Cabezo and whose engine stopped working after running aground, making it impossible to leave the place under her own power.
The person in charge of the Security and Emergencies Office of the City Council, Gregorio Rancel, explained that “the first thing that is done on the 15th, before the first rescue operation of the boat, is to remove the fuel, which was about 250 liters,” to avoid “what could have been contamination of El Médano Bay, which would have been a disaster.”
This device included both municipal services and ship-owning companies and others specialized in refloating ships. The necessary elements are placed to raise the sailboat. However, the attempt fails and the operation is postponed until several hours later, around 2:00 p.m., again with high tide.
It is at that moment that the rescue is completed and the damaged boat is transferred to the Amarilla Golf marina, in San Miguel de Abona. “She arrived very damaged,” explains Rancel. “Practically in a situation of total disaster.”
The head of the municipal security department insists on the “excellent work carried out by the surveillance and rescue service, which literally saved the lives of the crew members, who were passed over by the waves.”
