Working Conditions Aboard the Ciudad-De-Barcelona

In a dramatic rescue operation on the morning of July 1, 2026, the Tarragona Coordination Center of Salvamento Marítimo dispatched the SAR helicopter Helimer 202 to perform a crucial medical evacuation from the ferry 'Ciudad de Barcelona'. This vessel was on its route from Valencia to the picturesque island of Ibiza when a passenger displayed concerning symptoms indicative of a potential coronary issue. Upon the helicopter's swift arrival, the individual was successfully airlifted and transported to Reus Airport, where an ambulance stood ready to rush the patient to a nearby hospital for immediate care.

On August 29, 2020, a critical medical evacuation took place involving the ferry 'Volcan de Teide' as it navigated approximately 320 miles from Lanzarote. Around 1:00 a.m., the National Maritime Rescue Center received an urgent alert from the ship, indicating that a male passenger was suffering from a severe health crisis and required immediate air transportation. In response to the distress call, Las Palmas Rescue Coordination Center promptly deployed the Helimer 222 helicopter. This helicopter successfully met the ferry about 150 miles from the Lanzarote coast. The patient was airlifted and later arrived on the island by 9:30 a.m. Upon landing at César Manrique airport in Lanzarote, he was met by a medical team and ambulance, ready for immediate care. The transported patient was then taken to Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife, where he was admitted in serious condition, highlighting the swift response of maritime rescue services in critical situations.

On March 25, 2020, the Helimer 223 helicopter operated by Salvamento Marítimo conducted a crucial medical evacuation of a 69-year-old passenger aboard the ferry 'Volcán del Teide.' The vessel was sailing from Arrecife towards Las Palmas when the incident occurred. The maritime rescue team swiftly hoisted the patient to safety and transported them to Doctor Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas for further medical assistance.

On April 2, 2018, the ferry 'Volcan de Teide' played a critical role in the rescue of 16 migrants off the northeastern coast of La Graciosa, approximately 58 miles from the popular holiday destination of Lanzarote. After spotting the migrants in distress, the ferry altered its course to investigate the situation. The group, comprised entirely of men from Morocco, was subsequently rescued and brought to safety at Puerto Naos (Arrecife) around 7 p.m. They were transferred aboard the 'Salvamar Al Nair' and received urgent medical attention, with four individuals taken to the Valterra health center in Arrecife for further care. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrants and the humanitarian efforts at sea.