Spanish navy helps on La Palma

The volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma is now also triggering support measures by the Spanish Navy.

Preparation on site

After the lava flows irreparably interrupted the internal north-south communication routes on the west side, the island's regional council asked for help. The Meteoro class patrol boat "Tornado" was immediately dispatched with a group of divers and beach masters from the landing force to verify the landing possibilities on site. The west coast is mostly cliff-like and offers only a few beach sections for landing boats. According to the results of the reconnaissance, the traffic to the northern port of loading in Tazacorte, which is primarily important for the banana growers in the region, can take place from the beach in Puerto Naos.

Help on the way

The dock landing ship "Castilla" (Galicia class) with four LCM-1E landing craft and a helicopter component was made ready for the disaster operation at short notice and set sail from Rota on the first weekend in November. Each landing craft will be able to carry up to 80 people. After the evacuation, farming operations must be resumed south of the outbreak in order to at least partially save the banana harvest, which generates a third of the island's income.

Landing craft become banana freighters at short notice - versatility has always been the strength of the little ones.

Castilla. Photo: armada.defensa.gob.es