Man Rescued on Inflatable Mattress 37 km Off Estepona Coast
Maritime Rescue locates man in good condition after alert from merchant vessel
A man was rescued on Monday while floating on a domestic inflatable mattress 37 kilometers southeast of the Estepona coast. Maritime Rescue has confirmed he is not a migrant and has used the incident to remind people of the dangers of the sea.
The rescue occurred after the crew of the merchant vessel Epic Shikoku spotted a person floating on what they described as “a toy, an inflatable float, a kind of mattress that one has at home for guests” at 12:43 PM, according to Maritime Rescue’s social media reports.
Upon receiving the alert, the Tarifa Rescue Coordination Center immediately deployed the rescue vessel Salvamar Gadir, which traveled to the location where the man was found, approximately 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) southeast of Estepona.
Condition of the Rescued Person
The crew of Salvamar Gadir located the man in good health and proceeded with his recovery. He was subsequently transported to the port of Estepona without requiring urgent medical assistance.
According to Maritime Rescue, the rescued individual was not from a migrant boat and had apparently used an oar or similar instrument to attempt to propel himself during his unusual maritime journey.
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“The Sea Is Not a Pond”
Maritime Rescue has used the incident to launch an awareness message about the dangers of the sea. “The sea is not a pond. Respect, care, attention and much #MaritimeSafety,” the agency warned.
Maritime authorities have asked citizens to show “respect” and “great attention” toward the sea, reminding them that these types of domestic recreational objects are not designed for navigation in open waters, where currents, waves, and weather conditions can change rapidly and endanger people’s lives.
This incident adds to other similar rescues recorded on Andalusian coasts during the summer months, when recreational use of inflatable mattresses and floats increases. When carried by currents, these devices can carry people several kilometers from the coast in a matter of hours.