The government delegate in Cantabria, Pedro Casares, has highlighted the work carried out by the Social Institute of the Navy (ISM) for the benefit of seafarers since it not only provides assistance on the high seas with the hospital ship ‘Juan de la Cosa’ but also manages aid and offers training, among other tasks.

Casares highlighted the importance of this agency under the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, which has its headquarters in Cantabria in the building ‘Casa del Mar’ located in the Barrio Pesquero and also the base of the hospital ship ‘Juan de la Cosa’ in the Port of Santander.

On Monday, the delegate visited the different facilities of the ship, with special attention to the hospital facilities of the ship, and he did so accompanied by the provincial director of the Social Institute of the Navy, Alberto Villa.

The delegate has praised that this hospital ship attracts every month in Santander to make the change of crew, a total of 29 people.

He has also reported on the activity of the crew of the ‘Juan de la Cosa’ in the first semester of this 2025. They served 216 ship workers (130 of Spanish nationality and 86 from other EU countries) and held 244 consultations (30 outpatient clinics and 214 radiomedics). In addition, they evacuated 10 people to land with the ship or helicopter.

In addition to the health care itself, he explained that the crew of this hospital ship carries out radiometric consultations, treats injured people both in its facilities and on the ships where the accident occurred and, if the situation requires it, evacuates patients to the nearest port.

IMPORTANT REFORM OF THE CASA DEL MAR

On the other hand, the government delegate has highlighted the important reform that the Ministry is going to undertake at the headquarters of the ISM, in the building of the Casa del Mar in Santander, with an investment of more than 2.3 million euros and that will start soon.

This action, with an execution period of 20 months and which is expected to end in 2027, contemplates the installation of a ventilated façade and the replacement of roofs, gutters, downcomers and carpentry, as well as the adequacy of the interior of the property.

Casares pointed out that this is “a very important performance” for a building that is “the reference for the seafarers of our community” and in which there are some services of the Autonomous Government that share space with the Social Institute of the Navy in this House of the Sea that is owned by the Social Security.