A 39-year-old British woman has been found alive after enduring four terrifying days alone in the Mediterranean Sea, sparking both relief and astonishment across Spain and the UK.
Her disappearance, following the rental of a small boat in Formentera, triggered an extensive multi-agency search effort by Spanish authorities.
The woman, identified by locals as Mary Gavin, had rented a 15-foot motorboat — a Quicksilver 475 Axess — from the La Savina port on the island of Formentera.
She was due to return by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, but failed to show up. Alarmed, her friends contacted authorities, setting off a high-intensity search.
On June 22, at approximately 5 p.m., a passing vessel located Gavin drifting alone between Ibiza and Valencia — miles from any coastline.
She was promptly rescued and transported to a hospital in Valencia. While officials have not released details of her medical condition, her survival after such a prolonged ordeal at sea is being hailed as nothing short of miraculous.
Major Search Operation Mobilized
Spanish emergency services responded rapidly to the disappearance, deploying helicopters, coastguard boats, and specialized police diving units. The Civil Guard’s Maritime Unit conducted extensive surface sweeps, while divers from the GEAS underwater unit searched beneath the waves. Aircraft from the Civil Guard also aided in the hunt.
Both the missing woman and the boat had remained unaccounted for until Saturday’s dramatic discovery. Following her rescue, the rental vessel was recovered and returned to Ibiza.
A Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed:
“The British woman who disappeared after renting a boat in Formentera on Tuesday morning has been found alive.”
Earlier updates had noted that a formal investigation into her disappearance was being conducted by the Civil Guard’s Judicial Police Unit.
Unanswered Questions, But Relief Prevails
While authorities have not yet released an official statement explaining how Gavin survived at sea for four days or what circumstances led to her drifting so far from shore, the focus remains on her safe recovery.
The case has raised serious concerns about the risks of solo sea travel, especially when weather conditions or communication lapses are involved. It also underscores the importance of swift action when someone fails to return as planned — a factor credited with saving Gavin’s life.
As she recovers in hospital and authorities continue their investigation, Gavin’s rescue stands as a remarkable testament to human endurance and the effectiveness of coordinated search and rescue efforts.