The Las Palmas Harbour Master's Office has activated the National Maritime Plan in response to marine pollution at Level 0 alert (the lowest of the four levels), activating the procedures established for this type of pollution. A surveillance programme has been established to monitor any oil slicks using aerial and nautical craft. Additionally, apparatus including barriers, spinnaker booms and skimmers have been deployed to contain the oil and load it onto the salvage vessel Miguel de Cervantes.
The aircraft Sasemar 305 has detected traces of oil heading in a south-westerly direction. First sightings confirm that this oil is heading in a south-westerly direction, away from the coast.
In addition to the vessels mentioned, the tugboat Punta Salinas and the vessel Guardamar Talía are also deployed in the area.
The Russian vessel sank at 23.55 (local time) on Tuesday night. The vessel caught fire on Saturday 11 April, and the following morning the Harbour Master's Office of Las Palmas decided to move the vessel in the interests of the safety of the public and installations of the port, and to avoid contaminating the east of the city and the water purification plant. The crew were transferred off the vessel while still in port.
EFE