Rescue operation unfolds at Muchavista Beach as high-speed boat drifts with engine running
On a bright Saturday morning at Muchavista beach in El Campello, a dramatic event unfolded as a recreational boat powered by its engine raced along the coast with no one at the helm. The vessel, towing a small inflatable platform with three young people aboard, suddenly lost control. The crew on board became separated from the craft and began swimming toward the shore while the vessel continued to surge through the water. The rapid response by the Civil Guard Maritime Service helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation for swimmers and other maritime users in the area. The officers boarded the moving boat, brought it under control, and escorted it back to the harbor. The vessel, which had hooked a partially submerged, deflated floating device, was secured and returned to its owner. The Civil Guard promptly informed the local police about the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. The Alicante Sea Captain later confirmed that a man overboard mechanism automatically deactivates the engine in such emergencies, a feature that appeared to have been compromised in this case and was part of the reason the captain did not halt the engine when he fell overboard.
The incident occurred around 10:30 in the morning as the craft drifted in front of Muchavista beach. The Civil Guard received reports indicating that a leisure boat was still running its engine and traveling at a high speed while the captain and the three underage passengers were towed on the inflatable device behind it. When the man overboard situation occurred, the crew managed to swim ashore, leaving the vessel briefly unattended as it continued to navigate the waters. The swift intervention by the Civil Guard prevented a possible collision with other swimmers and boats and ensured that everyone remained safe during the tense moment on the water.
Images from the scene captured the Civil Guard patrol boat named Oja River as it moved quickly to the area. The officers conducted a careful approach to secure the drifting vessel, then performed a precise boarding operation while the boat was still in motion. Once on board, the crew gained control of the craft, stopped its movement, and steered it toward the port of El Campello for a safe and orderly docking. The operation required coordination and quick decision making to ensure that no one was injured and that the motor did not pose a danger to nearby swimmers or other maritime users.
In port, officials verified that the man overboard device or the boat’s braking system had been tampered with, which explained why the engine did not shut down when the captain fell into the water. The intervention underscored the importance of reliable safety systems on recreational boats and the need for proper maintenance before venturing into busy coastal waters. The owner of the vessel, a 51-year-old resident of Alicante, was located and the boat was returned to him. Following the event, the Civil Guard reinforced guidance to boat operators regarding safety checks, emphasizing that the braking system should be tested in advance, the engine should be stopped immediately when a crew member falls overboard, and the boat should be kept under constant watch to prevent propeller injury or further hazards. The incident was reported to ensure proper accountability and to help the maritime community improve safety practices on similar craft in the future. The report also highlighted the value of rapid response teams that are trained to board moving vessels, assess risks, and secure vessels to protect beachgoers and other sea users during high-demand shorelines like Muchavista. The overall objective remains clear: minimize risks, protect lives, and promote responsible boating behavior along the Alicante coastline.