A dramatic incident unfolded yesterday (Monday) when a man jumped into the water at Las Palmas Port in Gran Canaria, attempting to swim to a cruise ship docked at the Santa Catalina pier.
The incident took place early in the morning near the Poema del Mar aquarium, on the opposite side of the port from where cruise ships are usually moored. Witnesses alerted the Port Police after spotting the man standing on a pontoon, preparing to jump into the water.
By the time authorities arrived on the scene, the man had already dived into the water and started swimming. Given the urgency of the situation, the police enlisted the help of a nearby sailing boat, borrowing its inflatable Zodiac dinghy to conduct the rescue.
The swimmer had ventured deep into the harbour’s waters, navigating through an area bustling with maritime activity. This section, located between the Pesquero and Sanapú quays, is frequented by small ferries, Guardia Civil patrol boats, pilot vessels, and large ships.
Fortunately, the Port Police managed to pull the man safely onto the Zodiac, and he was then brought ashore at the Sepcan dock without further incident.
Emergency Response and Psychiatric Care
An ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) arrived shortly after to attend to the rescued man, before he was transported to the Doctor Negrín University Hospital, where he was admitted to the psychiatric unit. The man reportedly stated that his goal had been to swim to one of the cruise ships moored at Santa Catalina pier.
The incident serves as a reminder of the strict regulations governing activities in the port. Swimming, bathing, and fishing are prohibited to ensure safety and maintain the smooth flow of maritime traffic. The authorities have urged the public to respect these regulations to avoid similar risks in the future.
