Reviews & Ratings for the Esperanza-Del-Mar

Yonathan de León, the Mayor of Arrecife, has voiced urgent concerns over a massive influx of migrants arriving on the island, prompting a request to relocate the hospital ship ‘Esperanza del Mar’ to the Canary Islands and facilitate the transfer of migrants to Barcelona. Within just 24 hours, nearly 600 migrants from North Africa, predominantly from the Maghreb region, have reached Lanzarote aboard 11 different vessels. This alarming surge includes numerous minors and pregnant women, raising humanitarian concerns. The situation has become critical, as Lanzarote was declared a Social Emergency last August due to the escalating number of irregular migrants seeking refuge in the Canary Islands. Mayor de León has reached out to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to address this pressing issue and take necessary actions for the well-being of those who have arrived.

In a significant disciplinary action, the captain of the hospital ship 'Esperanza del Mar' has been dismissed after disregarding directives from the Las Palmas Social Institute of the Navy (ISM) regarding a doctor suspected of being infected with COVID-19. The incident took place during a critical period between April 14 and 30, 2020, when the ISM mandated that the potentially infected doctor remain isolated aboard the vessel. Despite the orders, the captain permitted negotiations for the doctor’s evacuation in the Azores, leading to his demotion to second officer. The 'Esperanza del Mar' had departed from its base in Vigo on April 4, 2020, to assist the fishing boat 'Ribel Tercero,' where several crew members exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID-19. A severe case was transferred to the hospital ship, and upon returning to sea on April 13, another doctor expressed concerns about potential exposure, prompting the ISM to order his isolation in a non-COVID area onboard. When the elevated fever of the doctor on April 25 indicated a suspected case, the captain urged the ISM to allow for disembarkation at the next stop in the Azores. However, the ISM was reluctant due to quarantine protocols. Consequently, another physician reached out to Portuguese health authorities for guidance on evacuation procedures and testing, which the captain found troubling, concerned about the potential public perception of disorganization among the crew. Ultimately, the ISM accused both the captain and the cooperating doctor of violating established protocols, leading to the captain's dismissal after 25 years of service aboard 'Esperanza del Mar.' The Social Chamber of the Superior Court of Xustiza de Galicia (TSXG) supported this decision, categorizing the role as one of trust that had been compromised. A disciplinary file was opened against the captain on July 1, 2020, for what the ISM termed 'notorious breach' of his responsibilities. The resulting sanctions included a nine-month suspension without pay, stemming from allegations that he repeatedly questioned the ISM’s directives concerning COVID-19-related measures and failed to take action against a subordinate discussing evacuation plans with Portugal. This case underscores the complexities of managing healthcare vessels during the pandemic and reflects the strict adherence to protocols that maritime authorities expect under challenging circumstances.