Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. On the occasion of this day, tomorrow, the Government Delegation in the Canary Islands will deliver the Menina 2021 Awards to five people and entities, among which are the Vivas Mujeres Canarias de la Comunicación association and the crew of the oceanographic vessel Ángeles Alvariño that participated in the case of violence in Tenerife.
The crew of the oceanographic vessel ‘Angeles Alvariño’ has received one of the Menina 2021 Awards granted by the Government Delegation in the Canary Islands and delivered tomorrow on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that takes place during the day today. The award has been given for his work in the fight against this scourge. The ship and the people who traveled in it were key in the tracking the two girls from Tenerife, Anna and Olivia, murdered by their father, in another chilling example of vicarious violence.
The Ángeles Alvariño is 46 meters long. It has provided the national and European oceanographic fleet with a floating laboratory equipped with the latest technologies that has allowed a notable improvement in marine science research. It has the capacity to accommodate 15 researchers and technicians, in addition to its 12 crew members, (14 in this case of assistance in Canary waters). Also, with a design that ensures very low levels of noise radiated to the water, which allows it to work without altering the natural behavior of marine fauna. The ship carries out its activity in the national sphere and adjacent seas, and has the technology to study marine geology, physical and chemical oceanography, marine biology, fisheries and environmental control.
On May 20, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography received the court order to assist the Civil Guard in the search for three missing persons east of the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Anna, Olivia and their father, Tomás Gimeno . The Ángeles Alvariño and the underwater robot Liropus 2000, a unique instrument in Spain to carry out observation and collection of samples and data up to a depth of 2,000 meters, were launched.
From May 24 to the end of June of this year, the ship was dedicated to the search for the two girls from Tenerife and their father. Olivia’s lifeless body was found on June 10. The Ángeles Alvariño ended her work after the judge in charge of the Violence against Women Court Number two of Santa Cruz de Tenerife made the decision after hearing the report from the ship’s operations manager who described the exploration in the area as “completely unapproachable”. area where new results could be found in the face of the rugged underwater terrain.
As for the appearance of Olivia’s body, the operation was going to end, initially, on June 8, but, according to a member of the crew, “two days before that date we found the oxygen bottle and the famous quilt . That is why the judge decided to prolong the search. In two days they learned the tragic news. “Then the remains of the girl appeared, Olivia.” The crew suffered a shock. “We didn’t see anything because the body was in a bag. It was found at 11 o’clock in the morning – weighed down with an anchor – and it was not able to refloat until 5 o’clock in the afternoon ». “When we found the body, many of us shed tears, and we did not see the remains.”
In a letter, the mother of the little girls thanked the crew for their work and explained that she wanted to go personally to Ángeles Alvariño to thank the agents, “but they told me it was dangerous, so I’m writing them a letter.” “They have done an incredible job, I know how difficult it was and they have been incredible. The doors of my house are always open to everyone. And I would be delighted to meet you, “he emphasized.
