MOROCCO DEMANDS FROM ARMAS: REMOVE THE GARBAGE

The Moroccan government has asked the shipping company “Naviera Armas” to remove the ship named Assalama stranded at the coast of Tarfaya, for safety reasons. Fishermen from Tarfaya have complained about dangerous, toxic substances. The fishermen have sent a letter to Abdelkader Amara, Minister of Equipment and Transport, to protect the abundance of fish.

The Assalama left the port of the Moroccan coastal town of Tarfaya on the morning of 30 April 2008. The route was to lead to Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura. But shortly after leaving the harbour basin, the ship collided with breakwater in heavy seas. The captain’s decision to continue the voyage nevertheless turned out to be a mistake, because shortly afterwards the damaged ship was in a heavy lateral position and became unmanoeuvrable. Passengers and crew were evacuated.

Thanks to the fishermen alone, the Assalama accident did not turn into a tragedy, as there were only two lifeboats on board. The fishermen ensured the rapid rescue of all 113 passengers – most of them Moroccans and Spaniards, including at least 80 Canarios. After the Assalama’s emergency call, at least ten fishermen immediately went out to sea in their small boats, the Pateras – known for their African refugee drama. Despite the strong waves, the experienced fishermen managed to get their small boats so close to the damaged ship that the passengers could change.

The ship was supposed to be taken to the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for repair, but the insurance company could not decide in view of the high costs of salvage. At that time, the official estimate of the salvage costs was 15 to 20 million euros.

The president of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Blas Acosta, met in October this year with the president of the Provincial Council of Tarfaya, Mohamed Salem Behiya, and with Juan Jesús Rodríguez, the president of the Foreign Trade Commission of the Chamber of Fuerteventura, to discuss the state of affairs of a new ferry connection. According to the Moroccan minister’s letter, the green light for the renewed operation will only be given when the ship of misfortune is removed.