Three Ukrainian sailors were detained by the National Police after authorities say they threw flares on New Year’s Eve, sparking a fire on the deck of the classic sailboat Maori, a wooden vessel built in Scotland more than a century ago. The incident, which occurred at the Regatta Club, is estimated to have caused damage exceeding 200,000 euros according to an initial assessment by a boat expert. The event highlights how a moment of celebration can turn into a costly accident for vessel owners and nearby maritime assets. (Source: local police report and boat owners’ counsel)
The three detainees, aged 20 to 35, were crew members aboard the merchant ship Oppland, a vessel flying the Portuguese flag. The ship had planned to depart from Alicante toward Stockholm but had to wait, pending legal proceedings. The trio appeared before the guardia civil court this Tuesday, where they were represented by lawyer Carlos Báguena and subsequently released on provisional terms. A special investigation led by the prosecutors and guidance from lawyers Moisés Candela and Marcos Cascales did not request detention measures on behalf of the shipowners. (Citation: prosecutors office statements)
One of the detained sailors admitted to police and in court that he was primarily responsible for launching the naval flare that caused the fire. Investigators recovered a flare from his clothing and from a nearby trash area, with up to five naval flares matching the described device discovered at the scene. (Sources close to the case)
Two other sailors also confessed to removing cartridges from the vessel’s crew hand and leaving the ship to celebrate the New Year, acknowledging their role in the event. The admissions provide critical context for the investigation and potential charges.
rapid extinction
The Regatta Club staff and the Alicante Fire Brigade responded quickly, containing the flames before they could engulf the sailboat or threaten adjacent vessels moored at the same pontoon. The rapid intervention helped avert a far larger catastrophe at the marina. (Official incident report)
A married couple, owners of the sailboat and residents of the United Kingdom, rushed to Alicante upon learning of the incident. They traveled to the city to oversee the situation and assist authorities as needed. (Witness statements)
The couple appeared at the Alicante Palace of Justice as the case moved through the legal process. The detainees remained in custody for ongoing proceedings, with hearings extended into the afternoon. Before the suspects could be questioned, the captain of the merchant ship—already unable to depart as planned—was prepared to testify, though he ultimately declined to appear in court. (Court records)
Without comprehensive insurance
The burning sailboat was not insured against all risks, meaning the owners must cover initial repair costs while seeking restitution through civil action against the detainees. Damage was limited to the wooden deck, with the interior remaining intact, but the deck damage carries a potentially steep price tag. Estimates indicate the repair bill could surpass 200,000 euros. (Insurance status and damage assessment)
Maritime club staff noted that flare control is critical around fiberglass vessels, since a flare contact would likely accelerate fire spread to other boats docked nearby. The incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols during celebratory events at marinas. (Club safety briefing)
In the broader context of marina safety, this incident has prompted calls for tighter safety measures during New Year celebrations, including stricter supervision of active flare use and clearer guidelines for crew conduct during harbor gatherings. (Local safety advisory)
Cleanup and restoration teams continue to assess the marina’s infrastructure to ensure no long-term hazards remain and to outline steps for compensating the owners affected by the fire. The focus remains on restoring the Regatta Club’s operations and supporting the affected shipowners as they navigate the financial and legal aspects of the incident. (Follow-up statements)