Here is the vessel West Sky caught on camera while loading sand in the occupied Western Sahara.
These unique photos of the Panaman flagged cargo vessel were taken close to El Aaiun in occupied Western Sahara, late 2007. The ship manager and the operator or the boat is Arabella Enterprises Corp at the Canary Islands.
The boat is carrying sand to the Canary Islands, where it is most likely being used for the construction industry -or for the cnstruction of white beaches. Canary Islands is the main importer of the illegally exported sand.
West Sky was observed in El Aaiun in end of July 2007, end of October 2007, and end of December 2007. At all occasions it went directly to Las Palmas or Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
It is hardly a safe boat. In a security inspection in Santa Cruz de Tenerfie on January 22nd, 13 defects were reported, such as inoperative ventilation, expired nautical publications, life saving appliances not as requrierd, not properly filled reports and documents, unmarked means of escape, not properly maintained steering gear, inadequate alarm signals.
The same vessel has been visiting Rosario, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. The two photos below shows it is visiting Rosario on 31st of December 2007 and on 18th of February 2007. (Both photos from Shipspotting.com.
The cargo vessel, which has IMO number 6810201 and call sign HOTC, was once blue, and used to sail under Swedish flag (owned at that time by the Swedish shipping company Olskrokens Åkeri AB, Kyrkesund). Photo below from 1995 is published on Shipspotting.com
The construction work on the controversial beach of Mogán in Gran Canary started 2 December.
The bay of Mogán at Gran Canary Island will next week be covered in conflict sand from occupied Western Sahara.
Sand exports from occupied Western Sahara to Spain continue unabated.
About thirty persons gathered at the docks of Palma de Mallorca to protest the unloading of sand from occupied Western Sahara.