MSC Musica Rescues Eight Men from Boat Near Ibiza

MSC Musica rescued eight men from a small boat approximately 16 miles east of Ibiza on Friday, July 31, 2026, after the craft was spotted as the cruise ship approached the Spanish island for a scheduled port call.

The ship’s crew deployed a lifeboat to reach the men and bring them safely aboard the vessel. They were later handed over to local authorities after they arrived in Ibiza.

At the time of the rescue, MSC Musica was operating a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary from Civitavecchia, Italy. The ship completed the voyage as planned, returning to Civitavecchia on Monday, August 3.

According to news outlet Il Dispari, the small single-outboard boat was spotted shortly before 11:30 a.m. The publication reported that the eight men were from North Africa, although no additional information about their identities was released.

Footage from the incident showed the small craft moving through the water without any visible power. It also appeared to have no mast or other obvious form of propulsion.

The rescue operation was led by MSC Musica’s 27-year-old first mate, Roberto de Girolamo, who oversaw the deployment of the ship’s lifeboat.

Salvamento Marítimo and the Guardia Civil in Sant Josep were notified before the men were transferred to authorities in Ibiza. Officials did not provide information about their condition, while MSC Cruises did not issue an official statement concerning the rescue.

MSC Musica had sailed from Civitavecchia on Monday, July 27, for a roundtrip Western Mediterranean cruise featuring destinations in Italy, France and Spain. Ibiza was scheduled to be the vessel’s next-to-last port of call.