Navy rescues 4 semi-rigid Spaniards adrift off Cabo de São Vicente

Three of the castaways were transported by helicopter to Faro

Four Spanish men were rescued this Wednesday night from a semi-rigid vessel that was drifting 25 nautical miles (about 46 kilometers) southwest of Cabo de S. Vicente.

According to the Navy, which coordinated the rescue, «the alert was given in the early afternoon by the Coordination Center for Search and Maritime Rescue (MRCC) in Madrid, which informed the Lisbon counterpart of the fact that the semi-rigid vessel, equipped with 3 engines and with four people on board, if it is at risk of sinking'.

The Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisbon) sent to the site three merchant ships, which were closest to the search area, and the Navy ship NRP Viana do Castelo and an EH- helicopter were also activated. 101, from the Portuguese Air Force.

The merchant ship "BW Danube 3" spotted and located the boat, but "given the adverse weather conditions, it was not possible to transfer the four individuals safely, as the ship remained in the area and provided, among others, some supplies" , explains the Portuguese Navy.

The crew, all Spanish, were rescued by air force helicopter, and the first person to be rescued was transferred to the Navy ship, NRP Viana do Castelo which, after the end of the search and rescue action, sailed towards Portimão , where he arrived earlier this morning.

Taking into account the “very adverse” sea conditions, after having been refueled, the Air Force helicopter recovered the remaining three shipwrecked people, already during this morning, “and headed for Faro, where they landed», concludes the Navy.

 



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