The tuna boat, stolen in Morocco, ran aground at the Baja de la Condesa (Orzola) in the early hours of Wednesday, 10 September. It has literally disintegrated due to a fire that broke out inside, primarily exacerbated by the strong waves in the rocky area over recent days. This situation has led to the closure of Caletón Blanco and Charco de la Condesa beaches due to the risk of “environmental contamination,” as fuel has been detected in the water.
– Stolen boat from Morocco
It was approximately 05:44 on Wednesday, 10 September, when the CEOES was alerted that a tuna boat had run aground on the coast of Órzola, with its crew calling for help. Emergency services, including firefighters, GES helicopter, Maritime Rescue, and Helimer Canarias, were promptly dispatched to the area.
Initially, the rescue of the five crew members on board was difficult due to darkness and their location on a rocky area that was hard to access. However, they were eventually rescued with the first light of dawn.
The first information regarding the circumstances surrounding the boat’s presence in such proximity to the coast of Lanzarote was provided by the NGO EMERLAN: “The boat had been stolen in Morocco by the five crew members rescued, one of whom is a minor“.
– Oil slicks in the water
Following the detection of oil slicks in the water, the 112 emergency services were alerted to activate the Marine Pollution Plan. Consequently, the PEIN was activated hours later under Pre-emergency measures.
DISA and the Port Authority provided “absorbent cloths” so that emergency services present in the coastal area could neutralise the “small fuel spills”.
Simultaneously, the Haría council ordered the closure of Caletón Blanco and Charco de la Condesa beaches due to “pollutant discharges from the stranded tuna boat since early this morning”.
– “Widespread fire on the deck of the boat”
The situation deteriorated further when the boat began burning on the same morning.
According to Enrique Espinosa, the Manager of the Emergency Consortium, “The crew left the engine running; it was clear they weren’t accustomed to handling such a large boat, especially with only five people – they were young individuals with little experience. When it ran aground due to low tide, combined with a spark likely produced by the engine, a widespread fire broke out over the entire deck, which we tried to extinguish, but it was impossible. It was the rising tide that ultimately quelled the flames“. He further added that “two oil tanks spilled directly into the coastal area, along with various waste that fell off. We had to use blankets to absorb the oil, and at night, the second firefighter unit was able to access the boat during the next low tide; they found more tanks, but not containing oil. Right now, with the rising tide, it has been further destroyed“.
– Approximately 60 litres of hydrocarbons onboard
As acknowledged by the Insular Administration Directorate, it is vital to know “the measures to be taken by the competent institutions regarding the removal of the boat’s engine, as it may contain up to 60 litres of hydrocarbons“. Not to mention that “The metal oxides can affect the flora and fauna of an area that is part of the Marine Reserve of the Chinijo Archipelago“.
Consequently, cleaning efforts along the coastline have continued, which has been exacerbated by the fact that the tuna boat is now completely destroyed due to the strong waves in recent days. In this regard, the Insular Directorate has announced that “The tanks will be removed by a specialized crane company“. Meanwhile, the Cabildo, through an employment plan, “will clean the coastline“.
– Five illegal immigrants
The Insular Directorate has reported that the five crew members of the stranded tuna boat (previously stolen in Morocco) are Maghrebi immigrants (one of whom is a minor) who used the boat as a “megapatera”. This is not an isolated incident, as other Moroccans have previously seized a fishing boat and a barge under similar circumstances.
The minor has already been placed in a MENAs Centre, while the other four responsible for the disaster are being treated under the same regime as any immigrant arriving in a makeshift boat.
From the outset of the incident, the Haría Council has been in daily contact with Health Services to ensure regular analyses are conducted, guaranteeing that the beaches can be reopened for swimming. However, despite the areas being cordoned off by the local police, many still disregard the regulations, risking a swim.
Regarding the remains of the boat, the Emergency Consortium informs that authorisation from the Environment Ministry is required for their removal, as “this is a protected area“.
