The Kanarian Social Organization TITEROYGAKAT, in response to the complaints of the Unified Association of the Civil Guard (AUGC) regarding security published in ABC, filed against the chief colonel of the Canary Islands zone, D. Agustín Castillo, which was answered by the general chief of the General Staff of the Deputy Directorate General of Operations, D. Candido Cardiel. News from ABC Las Palmas today.
STATES
First.- That for many years, this Social Organization has defended tooth and nail the actions of the Civil Guard of the Sea regarding Immigration in Pateras.
Second.- That it is true that they lack resources, both material, human and professional.
Third.- That we have also denounced the lack of resources, training, qualification and certification of these civil guards, who in compliance and with the obligation of their duty, have been and are carrying out actions at sea.
Fourth- That to train and qualify as a sailor, they have to spend at least five years, of which two have to be studying and three sailing before being able to command a boat, which is not fulfilled, moreover, the Law is not fulfilled where it is specified that in order to have command, they have to be one year in the Navy, then study and then embark as a skipper on a Civil Guard patrol boat. In this way, the Spanish Constitution "all are equal before the Law" is violated by granting them fewer requirements than any professional sailor, and not to mention the Armed Forces, since any military sailor to access command has to study five years, sail as many to be able to command a boat of the same characteristics as the one currently held by the Civil Guard.
Fifth.- The Civil Guard of the Sea is mandated to enforce the Maritime Laws and it is totally shameful that they ask for advice from a civil body to indicate what are the safety elements they should carry. If they passed inspections and dispatched their boats in the Maritime Authority (like any boat), or if they had a maritime department knowledgeable and effective in this matter, they might realize what their real needs and the appropriate means are.
Of all the above, the Kanarian Social Organization TITEROYGAKAT, without any other desire and spirit to help, would be willing to cooperate in ensuring that the Civil Guard of the Sea has trained, qualified and equipped professionals to carry out their activity safely and to the full satisfaction of the user.
Therefore, if the Unified Association of the Civil Guard denounces these shortcomings in terms of Security, we would also like them to assume these points that we express to ensure that these professionals have the means, training, experience and qualifications appropriate to the activity they perform.
Antonio Leal Aguilar, President of TITEROYGAKAT.