Small fuel spill off the coast of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Telde

The Canary Islands Government Ministry of Territorial Policy, Sustainability and Security activated the Specific Contingency Plan for Accidental Marine Pollution of the Canary Islands (PECMAR) at 19:30 on Saturday May 4, declaring a level 1 emergency situation due to hydrocarbon fuel in the sea affecting the north east coasts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Telde.

Reconnaissance carried out Sunday morning from the air and from the sea confirmed visual disappearance of the remains of fuel so the Specific Contingency Plan for Accidental Marine Pollution of the Canary Islands (Pecmar) was again deactivated on Sunday.  The local police in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Telde report that at no time was fuel detected reaching the coast of either municipalities.

The spill, about 100 meters wide and one km long, appeared to have come from the facilities at the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and was several kilometres from the coast.

It was detected around 18:30 on Saturday by the crew of a medicalised helicopter of the SUC qho alerted the main 1-1-2 emergency coordination centre, from where it was reported to the Port Authority of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

After detecting the small spill, a Salvamar vessel and a tugboat from the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria carried out dispersal work. A Sasemar search and rescue plane flew over the area and confirmed that there are no more visual traces.

Those responsible for the desalination plant in Las Palmas-Telde were notified by the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies. The installation placed containment barriers in anticipation of any marine current that may end up bringing the fuel remains to the coast, which in the end were not needed.