Formentera’s coastline witnessed a dramatic incident yesterday when a thirty-meter private motor yacht named Irmao caught fire off Cavall d’en Borràs, near Ses Salines Natural Park. The vessel sank after 9:30 p.m., its blaze visible in front of Punta Pedrera as the salvage tug Salvamar Acrux maneuvered nearby in the water to assist the situation.
Maritime Rescue reported the fire began around 5:30 p.m. and described multiple calls from passing boats as smoke billowed from the large yacht. The gate of the yacht reportedly failed and seemed to drop into the sea. A total of 17 people were aboard, consisting of five crew members and twelve passengers, with one passenger aged 38 suffering mild burns and being transported to Formentera Hospital for treatment, according to O61 officials.
Crews from the Ibiza-based Salvamar Acrux were first on the scene, and there was initial consideration of bringing the yacht closer to shore to facilitate firefighting efforts. That plan was quickly abandoned as rescuers decided to tow the burning vessel away from the coast, coordinating with numerous pleasure boats to keep people safe and clear the area.
The Civil Guard joins the operation
The Civil Guard patrol boat also joined the response due to the severity of the fire, which appears to have originated in the stern area of Irmao. The exact cause remains undetermined at this time, with investigators only noting the location of the ignition and the intense flames that followed.
Yesterday’s coverage: Fire on the Irmao coastal motorboat near Formentera drew private boats into action to rescue the 17 people aboard. Our center on Palm activated Salvamar Acrux to assist in pulling away the burned vessel, which eventually began to sink. A public post from the maritime authority offered practical guidance on fire prevention and action steps for boaters, underscoring the importance of preparedness at sea.
— SEA RESCUE reported on social media that the crew of Salvamar Acrux had to repeatedly secure ropes to the yacht, as the lines snapped under the heat of the flames.
The fire grew so intense that around 9:30 p.m. Irmao disappeared beneath the surface off Punta Pedrera, near Cavall d’en Borràs, a short distance from La Savina. The blaze and the vessel’s sinking were confirmed by official statements, noting no fuel or material leakage that could threaten navigation in the area.
A photograph taken in the submersion zone shows the salvage boat and a cleaning vessel at the scene, with the situation managed by the Formentera Council. These images illustrate the immediate response and ongoing cleanup operations following the incident.
At approximately eight o’clock the following morning, the Government’s coastal management contractor along with a Maritime Rescue patrol boat conducted an inspection of the sinking site to assess any environmental impact and ensure safe conditions for the surrounding waters.
Formentera’s cleanup and monitoring plan
The coastal cleanup team responded to the incident at the request of the President of the Consell and the Coast Minister, with Llorenc Cordoba confirming that floating debris could drift toward the peninsula due to currents. No hydrocarbon pollution was detected in the area, and remaining debris was gathered for proper disposal. The Consell announced it would maintain oversight over the coming days to monitor potential spills and to remove visible debris as needed. Irmao, noted as a charter boat, will be managed by the charter operator for refloating and port transfer once the area is deemed safe.
In the aftermath, authorities emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring to prevent any environmental impact and to coordinate a swift, coordinated response should similar incidents occur in the future. The operation highlighted the collaboration between Salvamento Maritimo, the Civil Guard, local government, and the coast’s rescue services in safeguarding both people and the marine environment.