The 80-meter long “Brasinho” dredger from the Sofaeias company, which was involved in a sand replacement operation, overturned today, January 16, at the Lavajo bar (Barra da Armona), at the entrance to the Ria Formosa. Four crew members fell into the water but escaped unharmed, with only symptoms of hypothermia.
The alert was received at around 08:10 am by the Captain of the Port of Olhão, and a Maritime Police vessel and a vessel from the Olhão Life-Saving Station were immediately sent to the site, according to the National Maritime Authority.
The incident occurred shortly after the workers changed shifts, at a time when the maritime taxi transporting them was still in the area.
Four of the crew fell into the water, and a few minutes later were picked up by the sea taxi and transported to the Olhão Life-Saving Station, showing, however, symptoms of hypothermia upon arrival on land.
At the moment, the Captain of the Port of Olhão and an engineer from the Maritime Authority are analyzing the situation in terms of security.
It is known that the ship has 12.000 liters of diesel, but the possibility of environmental risk "is put aside", guarantees the Maritime Authority.
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