The Special Group for Underwater Activities (GEAS) of the Civil Guard has sealed the compressors of three diving centers in Lanzarote. These equipments, used to refill compressed air cylinders, had not passed the "corresponding inspection of the Authorized Certifying Body", the Benemérita points out. Therefore, the three centers have been reported and face possible sanctions.
The Civil Guard also points out that Industry was unaware of "the possession of these compressors by the diving center in question". These seals will be lifted when the equipment passes the corresponding inspection and obtains certification from the Authorized Certification Body (OCA). This, however, will not exempt the centers from respective complaints or the possible sanctions that derive from them.
In total, the GEAS has carried out 14 inspections in Las Palmas in different diving centers and companies, from which the reporting of 28 infractions to 10 diving centers and 4 companies dedicated to scuba diving has been derived. From the Civil Guard they point out that the majority of these infractions were for "non-compliance with various safety regulations such as carrying out diving activities with inadequate material or the lack of personnel to complete the minimum diving equipment". These infractions can carry fines of up to 3,000 euros for minor infractions, or from 90,000 euros to 600,000 euros.
The actions of the GEAS have started from two different paths. On the one hand, from the inspections that the group carries out routinely in coordination with the Vice-Ministry of Fisheries of the Government of the Canary Islands, with the delegation in the Canary Islands of the Ministry of Industry, as well as with the Labor Inspection of the General Treasury of Social Security throughout the province. Others, however, have started from complaints from individuals or even workers, who have brought the alleged irregularities to the attention of the Civil Guard.
