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Date Published: 12/10/2026

Red Cross crews answer more than 300 maritime alerts in Murcia this year

Volunteer teams have carried out 268 effective services along the Region’s coastline and Mar Menor

Red Cross maritime rescue teams in the Region of Murcia have responded to 321 activations between January and September 2026, according to the latest figures. Of these alerts, 268 led to effective services, while 53 were cancelled for different reasons.

The service remains on permanent alert throughout the year. When an emergency call comes in, volunteer crews are activated immediately and aim to respond within 45 minutes, even when their intervention later proves unnecessary.

“These figures reflect the readiness of a device on permanent alert 24/7,” said María José Vera, director of the Red Cross Emergency Area in the Region of Murcia.

Rescue work made up most of the successful interventions, accounting for 178 services, or 66% of the total. This included 141 towings involving boats that had broken down or were drifting. Crews also carried out 24 searches for people or shipwrecked individuals and completed six successful rescues.

As might be expected, the busiest period came during the summer. July and August together accounted for 104 services, almost 40% of the year’s total, with August recording the highest monthly figure at 54.

The most active vessels were LS Kai, with 57 services, LS Buena Esperanza, with 50, LS Moraga, with 45, and LS Punta de Algas, with 42. Based in San Pedro del Pinatar, LS Moraga was delivered by Maritime Rescue in 2025 and has now completed its first year in service.

The teams’ work also includes preparation away from live emergencies. So far this year, volunteers have completed 38 exercises and training sessions, including 27 crew training exercises. They have also taken part in 16 maritime security operations, such as escorting vessels, and four interventions involving marine pollution.

Their training was tested during Cartago 26, a Spanish Navy exercise in San Pedro del Pinatar that simulated the rescue of a submarine and the care of its crew.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s an exercise or a real emergency. The response has to be the same, fast, coordinated and humanitarian,” said Vera.

The service is supported by 272 volunteers and operates with Maritime Rescue, the Cartagena Coordination Centre, the Copla Plan, the Guardia Civil and the Navy. The Region’s 112 emergency service is also described as vital, particularly on the Mar Menor, where two vessels are operating through this collaboration.

Red Cross teams are reminding boat users to check their vessel carefully, consult the weather forecast and call 112 in an emergency.

Image: CHRISTIAN PFEIFER/Pexels

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