The Guardia Civil Servicio Marítimo had to deal with a child birth in a Zodiac RIB 23 miles out from Motril Port Tuesday morning.

It was 08.10h when a coastal radar (SIVE) picked up the incoming open boat over 20 nautical miles out and alerted a Guardia Civil launch to intercept it.

One hour later the launch located the RIB packed with people now just 13 nautical miles out. Onboard were over 70 people from sub-Saharan Africa, amongst them a heavily pregnant woman.

The Commander of the GC launch had intended  to stand to until the Maritime Rescue boat arrived but suddenly there was a commotion onboard the immigrant RIB with cries for help. The pregnant woman had broken waters and was in the act of giving birth.

The decision was taken to transfer her over the Guardia Civil launch together with another woman to accompany her. They then headed full speed for Motril Port. They tied up around 10.30h where an ambulance was waiting to take her to the Santa Ana area hospital

Meanwhile, back out to sea, the Maritime Rescue boat had taken onboard the remaining passengers in the RIB and transferred them to Málaga Port.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)