In December 2018, three abandoned ships in the Las Vacas stream broke their moorings and collided with the Carmelo swing bridge. The impact left it twisted and impassable, isolating the city of 18,000 inhabitants for weeks. Although repairs were completed in February 2019, the incident marked a before and after in local memory.
In response, the government of Tabaré Vázquez authorized by decree the direct purchase of services to remove 10 deteriorated vessels, at a cost of US$ 1.2 million. The rationale was clear: risk to navigation, contamination hazard, and threat to national infrastructure.
The current situation
Years later, the problem persists. The mayor of Carmelo, Luis Parodi, confirmed that three fishing vessels remain partially sunk in the stream, despite being listed in the official registry of ships to be removed. According to his complaint, they are spilling fuel and contaminating the area.
The Las Vacas stream, with 17 navigable kilometers and a depth of 3 to 4 meters, is vital for the region:
- It houses the commercial port that connects Carmelo with Tigre (Argentina).
- It has private shipyards and one from the MTOP.
- The UTU Naval Repairs School operates there.
- It is the venue for sporting events like the Carmelo Triathlon, the oldest in the country.
The presence of abandoned ships contrasts with these activities, generating environmental and social concern.
Risk of contamination
Parodi warned that the ships are on private land and that, in the event of a flood, the contamination could spread.
The fuel spill directly affects water quality and endangers both wildlife and human activities related to the stream.
Claims and lack of resolution
Months ago, local authorities raised the issue with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP) during a tour of the area. The National Directorate of Hydrography responded that the matter was “under study.” However, at the departmental level, there is no jurisdiction to act, which maintains uncertainty about when the vessels will be removed.
The case of Carmelo reflects how the lack of resolution regarding abandoned ships becomes an environmental and infrastructure problem. The memory of the 2018 accident remains, and the community hopes that national authorities will comply with the 2019 decree to ensure safety and protect the natural heritage of the Las Vacas stream.
