OVERBOARD: Passing ferry overturns and nearly sinks fisherman’s boat in Spain

A FISHERMAN was rescued at sea after his boat was overturned and partially sunk by a passing ferry in Port d’Alcudia.

The ship from Ciutadella is believed to have accidentally sunk a fishing boat in Port d’Alcudia Tuesday morning.

Paco Souto Flaquer, skipper and only crew member of the Virginia, told Diario de Mallorca that he was fishing, alone, at approximately 9.30am, when he noticed ‘the onslaught of a first wave that threatened to capsize his boat’.

He said his first reaction was to hold on, hoping it was just a ‘swing’ but a second wave ‘completely overturned the vessel.

The Balearia Ferry, from Ciuradella in Menorca, reportedly fired a beacon and contacted Maritime Rescue.

A rescue boat was immediately despatched to the location near the Alcanada lighthouse, and Flaquer was brought to safety, unhurt.

The fishing boat remained half sunk yesterday (Wednesday), pending an assessment by rescue technicians to see if it can be refloated.

The vessel is 7.5 meters long and about 35 years old.