Dec 22 - Search And Rescue Incident - Two Spanish Nationals “Drifting At Sea” Now Safe
Yesterday evening, the Gibraltar Port Authority received a call at the VTS Centre, from Spanish Salvamento Maritimo advising that a Spanish recreational vessel had reported a distress situation in waters close to Gibraltar.
The Gibraltar Port Authority’s Search and Rescue protocols were immediately activated, with GPA, RGP, GDP and Customs marine assets, as well as shore–side assets, all participating in the operation, together with maritime and airborne assets of the Spanish Salvamento Maritimo.
At 23:05 hours, the affected vessel was located, with no persons on board, but a subsequent search of the area led to Customs vessel ‘Searcher’ locating two persons drifting at sea. They were immediately recovered by the Customs crew and brought to land suffering evident symptoms of hypothermia. The two persons were transferred from Customs Marine Base to hospital by GHA ambulance. The two Spanish nationals have subsequently been discharged from hospital and have returned to their families.
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