Von Annette Mischke
Has Tenerife really suffered a blow to its reputation because of the „Hondius“? No! Tenerife has shown what it’s capable of.
After the „Hondius“ was turned away by several countries, Madrid brought the Canary Islands into the picture. In the end, the Hondius docked in the south of Tenerife. Local politicians were concerned about damage to the island’s image. Yet Tenerife has actually come out of this better.
People were rescued from an acute emergency as quickly as possible. It is difficult to assess from the outside what this means for those affected following their ordeal on the ‚Hondius‘.
It was only by ensuring that all passengers could be quickly referred to appropriate medical care that further deaths on the MS Hondius were undoubtedly prevented.
The planning of the operation was excellent, and its execution was very good and professional. I am particularly impressed by the speed with which this dangerous operation was co-ordinated and carried out, involving so many different countries and organisations.
All the highly unusual but necessary measures to repatriate people to their home countries were initiated and carried out smoothly and without any wrangling over responsibilities.
Another factor was that the port of Granadilla provided a location which met the requirements for keeping the population safe from all possible hazards and for carrying out the operation swiftly.
It is clear that the people of Tenerife were concerned that any mistakes or oversights during the evacuation of the ship could lead to a chain of infection on the island. However, this remote harbour, which is not open to the public, provided the necessary conditions to carry out the operation without putting the civilian population at risk.
If only cooperation – even with international organisations such as the WHO – could always run so smoothly and professionally. In any case, Tenerife’s image is unlikely to have suffered; on the contrary, it is likely to have scored major points.
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