Efforts Underway to Control Diesel Spill After Fishing Vessel Sinks

The fishing vessel ‘Nueva Santa Irene’ sank on February 10 in O Grove, Pontevedra, while carrying 11 tons of diesel. The National Police and Customs officers quickly responded to the incident by erecting a containment wall to prevent any potential pollution. Fortunately, a reconnaissance flight conducted by the Helimer HS401 helicopter confirmed no signs of pollution in the Arousa estuary as of February 11. The helicopter surveyed the area between O Grove and Illa de Arousa, ensuring the safety of the local waters.

The ‘Nueva Santa Irene’ had set sail from the port of Rianxo, A Coruña, around midday on February 10. Emergency Services received an alert about the sinking at approximately 6:30 p.m. A passerby reported seeing the overturned vessel next to a mussel raft, where the crew was attempting to escape. Local emergency responders confirmed that the boat capsized while loading cargo, but the three crew members managed to reach a life raft without sustaining injuries. They were later rescued by the local emergency boat.

In response to the incident, Salvamento Marítimo, the Maritime Authority of Vilagarcía, and the Galician Coast Guard were mobilized. Initially, it was thought the crew was involved in mussel farming, but the presence of numerous diesel drums raised alarms. On February 11, underwater specialists from the Civil Guard inspected the sunken wreck. Investigators also began looking into possible connections to drug trafficking, as the vessel was reportedly operating without legal permits. The crew lacked the necessary maritime skills, consisting of two local residents with alleged drug ties and a foreign national with limited Spanish proficiency.

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