Since the arrival of small boats to the coast of Formentera on a regular basis, some of them have been abandoned to their fate at different points along the coast of Formentera, especially where access by land and even by sea is more complicated.
Remains of a small boat on the rocks in the area of s’Estufador. Mikel Garabain
Since 2021, at least, the collective ‘Qué Celeste’, whose volunteers are dedicated to cleaning the roughest coastline of Formentera, has been condemning the situation with photographs and comments on social networks but they have also recovered some of the remains they have found.
An abandoned jerry can from a skiff. Mikel Garabain
The fact is that the small boats that easily reach accessible areas, such as beaches, are removed and towed by boat either by the Guardia Civil del Mar or by the Special Group of Underwater Activities (GEAS). From land the cleaning services of the Consell de Formentera have also collaborated in these tasks.
Overturned skiff that arrived on Saturday September 9 to sa Cala. Mikel Garabain
From this institution it was assured yesterday that “we are in contact with the Guardia Civil and collaborate in the removal of these boats and the remains that are left along the coast”.
State responsible for removal of the boats
Meanwhile, sources from the Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands acknowledged to Diario de Ibiza that “the removal of these vessels is the responsibility of the State” . The protocol they follow is that those that arrive to Formentera “are taken to the port of Ibiza to manage their subsequent destruction, in the hands of the Port Authority”, they also indicated. Another issue is the time they can invest in this process, which also involves administrative management.
Motor of a skiff abandoned among the rocks in the area of s’Estufador Mikel Garabain
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.