A boat that sank in Sant Antoni Bay and caused a fuel slick in the sea has been refloated and removed, bringing the immediate response to an end while authorities continue to monitor the area.

The vessel sank on Monday, September 21, near sa Punta des Molí after being anchored in an unauthorised area close to the shoreline.

The incident led to a precautionary change to the bathing flag at es Pouet after fuel from the boat entered the sea and was carried in that direction by the wind.

Boat Removed the Following Morning

The boat's owner arranged for a specialist company to refloat the vessel on Tuesday morning, September 22.

Once recovered, it was transported to dry dock.

The operation was coordinated between Ports IB, Salvamento Marítimo, Capitanía Marítima and Sant Antoni Town Hall.

Fuel Slick Detected After the Sinking

The vessel was located just a short distance from the coast, in front of sa Punta des Molí.

Although the boat was outside the designated bathing area, the fuel released after the sinking created a slick on the sea.

Wind conditions pushed the slick towards es Pouet, prompting the municipality to take precautionary measures.

Yellow Flag Raised at es Pouet

The green bathing flag at es Pouet was replaced with a yellow flag after the incident.

The measure was taken as a precaution and to alert beach users about the potential effect of the fuel slick.

The municipality advised people using the beach to follow the instructions of the lifeguard and surveillance services while the situation was being assessed.

Anti-Pollution Barriers Installed

Anti-pollution barriers were placed around the affected area following the sinking.

The barriers were intended to contain the fuel slick and reduce the risk of it spreading further through the bay.

The response formed part of the coordinated operation involving maritime and municipal authorities.

No Fuel Remains Detected During Tuesday Inspection

During the monitoring carried out on Tuesday morning, authorities reported that no remaining traces of the fuel slick were detected in the sea.

The boat was then removed from the water.

Despite the absence of visible traces, Sant Antoni Town Hall said monitoring would continue in the area to follow its evolution and ensure that current safety and environmental conditions were maintained.

The Boat Was Anchored in an Unauthorised Area

According to the municipal information released after the incident, the boat had been anchored in an area where anchoring was not authorised.

It was positioned close to the shoreline in front of sa Punta des Molí.

The sinking occurred outside the designated bathing area and outside the municipality's direct area of competence.

Authorities Worked Together on the Response

Several organisations were involved in managing the incident.

Ports IB, Salvamento Marítimo, Capitanía Marítima and Sant Antoni Town Hall coordinated the response, while the municipality's Environment Department supervised the situation locally.

The operation included containing the fuel slick, monitoring nearby bathing areas and arranging the removal of the vessel.

The Incident Took Place Near es Pouet

The location of the sinking meant that the closest bathing area was potentially affected by the movement of the fuel slick.

The wind pushed the slick towards es Pouet, which is why the bathing flag was changed as a precaution.

No evidence has been reported of a wider impact across Sant Antoni Bay.

Removal Brings the Immediate Operation to a Close

With the boat now out of the water and taken to dry dock, the immediate source of the fuel release has been removed.

The municipality is nevertheless continuing to supervise the area.

Further monitoring is intended to ensure that no additional traces of fuel appear and that bathing conditions remain appropriate.

No Confirmed Quantification of the Spill

Authorities have not published a quantified volume of fuel released from the boat.

There is also no official assessment establishing significant environmental damage from the incident.

For that reason, the event is best described as a fuel spill associated with a sunken vessel rather than assigning a specific scale to the pollution.

A Short-Lived Disruption to the Beach Area

The precautionary yellow flag was introduced because of the potential risk to the nearby bathing area.

The subsequent monitoring found no remaining visible traces of the fuel slick in the sea on Tuesday morning.

The removal of the boat means the vessel itself is no longer an issue in the bay, although the area remains under observation.

Sant Antoni Continues Monitoring the Area

The Town Hall says it will continue to monitor the affected stretch of coastline following the removal operation.

The aim is to check that conditions remain safe and that the sea shows no further signs of the fuel slick.

The incident also highlights the importance of following anchoring restrictions in coastal areas, particularly near beaches and other sensitive parts of the bay.

What Happened

Monday, September 21: A boat sank near sa Punta des Molí after being anchored in an unauthorised area.

A fuel slick appeared in the sea and moved towards es Pouet due to the wind.

The bathing flag at es Pouet was changed from green to yellow as a precaution.

Anti-pollution barriers were installed.

Tuesday, September 22: The boat was refloated, removed and taken to dry dock by a specialist company.

No remaining traces of the fuel slick were detected during the morning monitoring.

The area remains under supervision.

Sant Antoni Bay Back Under Observation

The removal of the vessel has resolved the immediate problem created by the sinking.

The authorities' focus now is on continued monitoring of the surrounding waters and the nearby bathing area.

For residents and visitors, the latest official information indicates that the visible fuel slick had disappeared by Tuesday morning, although the municipality is continuing to monitor the area following the incident.