Daring Migrant’s Solo Swim Across Gibraltar Strait Ends in Dramatic Rescue by Vacationing Family

The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 16. The crew of the sailboat, which was maneuvering to bypass an oil tanker, noticed something moving on the surface of the water. When they looked at the area through their binoculars, they realized it was a young man, reports Diario Sur.

The boat headed towards the young man, who was 13 miles south of Benalmádena, more than 20 kilometers from the Malaga coast. The Andalusian family called the maritime rescue services (Salvamento Marítimo), who rescued the castaway and took care of him, giving him water, clothes, blankets and a hot drink.

The young man was wearing a diving suit, a life jacket and flippers. The Salvamento Marítimo asked them to go to the port of Estepona where the salvamar Gadir was mobilized, which went to meet the sailboat. Finally, the young man was transferred to the port of Malaga.