Merchant
“There is a need for medical assistance on board, with operational limitations that prevent keeping the people on the vessel for a longer period.”
The Merchant Navy decided last night to impose an operation at the port of Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, that could involve not only anchoring but also docking—or even towing—the MV Hondius, a ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak. The decision is recorded in a resolution signed on Sunday by the Director‑General of the Merchant Navy, Ana Núñez Velasco.
The resolution states verbatim that it has decided to “impose the reception of the MV Hondius in the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, either by anchoring or by docking, as determined by the authorities responsible for the health operation to be applied to the people on board.”
It also contemplates the possibility “that it may be necessary to tow the MV Hondius,” a task that would be carried out by the Maritime Rescue and Safety Society (SASEMAR) in accordance with Article 268 of the Consolidated Text of the State Ports and Merchant Navy Law.
“The Granadilla Port Authority will provide the necessary pilotage, towing and mooring services for the reception of the MV Hondius, as required by the duty of collaboration stipulated in Article 141 of Law 40/2015, of 1 October, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.”
Against this resolution, which ends the administrative route, a reconsideration appeal can be filed within one month before the Director‑General of the Merchant Navy.
The resolution explains that this route was chosen because “there is a need for medical assistance on board, with operational limitations that prevent keeping the people on the vessel for a longer period.”
“In this sense, the competent authorities have determined that health control is more effective in a prepared port than by keeping the vessel indefinitely at sea. Moreover, the port of Granadilla in Tenerife has the characteristics of a relatively isolated industrial port, with limited interaction with the civilian population and ample operational zones for the necessary actions in this case.”
Consequently, the Merchant Navy considers the reception of the MV Hondius justified from the perspective of maritime safety and the protection of human life, and therefore mandates its compulsory docking.