Tourist Safety Ensured After Boat Incident Near Isla de Lobos
This past Saturday, a maritime incident involving the vessel ‘El Majorero,’ which connects the beautiful island of Fuerteventura to the picturesque Isla de Lobos, brought about significant concern but thankfully resulted in no injuries among the 47 tourists and five crew members onboard.
The boat encountered a serious malfunction that led to its partial sinking during transit. This frightening situation resulted from a collision with the sea floor, causing one of the boat’s panoramic windows located at the bottom to break. The damage was severe enough to raise alarms, but fortunately, quick action ensured the safety of all passengers.
The alarming episode unfolded around 2:25 PM, prompting the immediate deployment of the boat ‘Celia Cruz,’ which operates on the same ferry route. This vessel played a crucial role in evacuating all passengers safely and ferrying them back to the mainland, thus preventing any injuries or panic among those aboard.
In the aftermath of the incident, the grounded vessel ended up on the beautiful La Concha beach at Isla de Lobos, where it had initially been voyaging for a scenic tour. Following the rescue, passengers faced the option of choosing their next steps: some opted to remain on the charming island, embracing the serene environment, while others decided to return to the lively town of Corralejo.
Activated Emergency Procedures Under PLATECA
The seriousness of the situation prompted the Directorate General of Emergencies of the Canary Government to activate the Territorial Emergency Civil Protection Plan for the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, known as PLATECA, declaring a pre-alert status for the maritime accident.
In the following hours, authorities were set to undertake critical maneuvers for the evacuation of fuel from the vessel, followed by a plan to refloat and rescue the craft. This comprehensive effort involves pumping out existing fuel to ensure there’s no risk of environmental contamination, employing anti-contamination barriers and absorbent materials as necessary.
As part of the response, a helicopter from the Canary Islands Government’s GES (Emergency Safety Group) is expected to oversee the area where the vessel remains grounded. This emergency situation has implications for the municipality of La Oliva in Fuerteventura, showcasing the need for swift and effective responses in maritime incidents.
