Overview

• The centenarian tug broke free from its mooring in swell and low tide and ended up on the sand at Nigrán’s Praia América on Tuesday morning.
• The owner attempted to free the vessel without success, prompting a response from Gardacostas de Galicia with several agents and a patrol boat.
• Officials decided to wait for higher water before attempting a refloat in order to avoid harming the ship.
• The grounding drew large crowds of beachgoers and onlookers, as the vessel is a familiar summer presence off the beach.
• Built in 1902 in Dartmouth by Philip & Son and restored by Industrias/Grupo Ferri, the San Esteban had recently arrived after a visit to Ferrol, and Faro de Vigo describes it as the oldest active steel ship in Spain.