A sailboat with two people on board had to be rescued this Tuesday after running aground in the channel located between the island of Portitxol and the coast of Xàbia. The vessel reported the incident. After receiving the emergency communication, the Valencia Rescue Coordination Centre (CCS) mobilized the Salvamar Phoenix, based in Xàbia, who traveled to the scene of the incident.
Once on scene, the Salvamar crew managed to refloat the sailboat and assess its condition. After verifying that it could safely continue sailing and that there was no damage compromising its buoyancy, the Salvamar Fénix concluded its operation and returned to its home port in Xàbia. No injuries were reported among the two people on board.
The sailboat Alomar reported via VHF channel 16 that it had run aground in the channel between Isla and Cala Portitxol, with two people on board. CCS Valencia deployed the rescue vessel Fénix, whose crew managed to refloat the sailboat. After verifying that… pic.twitter.com/7ir5lKr28g
— MARITIME RESCUE (@salvamentogob) August 4, 2026
A marked passage where navigation is restricted
The grounding occurred in the existing channel between the Portitxol Island and the coast, an area where boat navigation is restricted. The area is marked by a system of buoys which delimits the passage and aims to prevent the transit of vessels through an area of shallow depth and high environmental value.
Despite this signage, numerous skippers attempt to cross this narrow channel every summer, a practice that increases the risk of groundings, as happened two weeks ago, and can cause damage to both the vessels and the marine environment.
The rescue once again highlights the importance of respecting maritime signage and existing navigation restrictions in certain areas of the Xàbia coastline. The restrictions implemented in areas like Portitxol aim to guarantee navigational safety and protect environmentally sensitive areas.
It's incredible that a sailboat ⛵ is passing through there, but it's summer and irresponsible people are everywhere.
Salvamar is not the municipal tow truck; it exists to save lives, not to tow kids.