Sealed a boat with foreign flag for dumping sewage in a Canary Islands port

The Civil Guard of the Las Palmas Commandancy has sealed a foreign vessel at the Port of Puerto del Rosario, in Fuerteventura, after detecting the discharge of a pinkish liquid from a side nozzle of the ship.

The measure, adopted by order of Maritime Captaincy on July 31, 2026, seeks to ensure compliance with current regulations in port waters and protect the marine environment.

During a routine inspection carried out by the Fiscal and Borders Patrol of Fuerteventura, at the Port of Puerto del Rosario, agents observed one of the docked vessels expelling a pinkish liquid from a side nozzle. Upon approaching the ship, the Civil Guard agents identified the crew, consisting of a foreign couple, owner and crew member of the vessel.

After requesting the relevant documentation, the agents asked them about the origin of the liquid and if they had authorization to discharge it. The couple explained that it was wastewater from the washing machine, assuring that it was an ecological product, just like the boat, which they described as "100% ecological".

However, the agents informed them that in port waters it is forbidden to discharge any type of liquid, ecological or not, without proper authorization. Although the affected parties stated they were aware of said regulation and admitted that on other occasions they had discharged the water manually, they justified their action by indicating that, on this occasion, they had opted for a "more comfortable" method and that, in their opinion, it did not harm the environment.

Given the impossibility of verifying the nature of the liquid and the potential risk to port waters, the case was transferred to the Maritime Captaincy in Las Palmas. The competent authority decreed the precautionary sealing of the vessel, considering that the facts could constitute a serious infraction, according to the consolidated text of the Law on State Ports and Merchant Shipping.

A guarantee of 6,000 euros 

As a provisional measure, the vessel has been immobilized until the administrative sanctioning file is resolved. To lift the seal, the owners must provide a guarantee of 6,000 euros, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the resolution that is issued. This measure is also adopted due to the risk that the boat, being under a foreign flag, could set sail for its country of origin and hinder the collection of possible liabilities.

The Guardia Civil reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection, maritime safety, and compliance with current regulations, preventing spills or other acts that could jeopardize the health of the waters and marine biodiversity.