Viral Video of Sunken Sailboat Renews Calls for Shipwreck Removal in Tenerife

A video recently posted on Instagram by the account @mrqz.dive has reignited the debate over how shipwrecks are managed along the Canary Islands' coastline. The footage, filmed during a dive at a sunken sailboat in southern Tenerife, appears to show the same vessel that ran aground near Amarilla Golf in San Miguel de Abona last summer.

The video clearly shows nautical equipment, such as communication and navigation tools, still inside the hull. However, the diver notes that the ship is in poor condition, with significant structural damage caused by debris and the constant movement of the sea. The footage shows access to the interior through a hole in the hull, highlighting how fragile these wrecks are. Following an incident last year where the crew was rescued safely after a failed towing attempt, the boat has been left at the mercy of the area’s strong currents and waves.

Beyond the curiosity surrounding the discovery, the video highlights the dangers of exploring underwater wrecks. Sharp objects, tangled ropes, and confined spaces pose serious risks to divers who lack proper technical training. Furthermore, this situation points to a recurring environmental issue: abandoned vessels on the seabed are not only a hazard to navigation and diving, but they also harm the local ecosystem by releasing pollutants and accumulating trash.

While the identity of the sailboat has not been officially confirmed, its location and the timing of its appearance have renewed concerns about how maritime wreckage is handled. Current safety and environmental regulations require that these wrecks be removed promptly. Rather than becoming tourist attractions, these abandoned ships often become sources of pollution and long-term threats to marine life and coastal safety.