Three crew members, two French and one British, of the sailboat “Indian Summer”, which was southwest of Cape São Vicente, with engine problems, were rescued this morning by the Navy.
The rescue was coordinated by the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, in collaboration with its counterpart in Rabat (Morocco), and the rescue was eventually carried out by the Portuguese Air Force EH-101 helicopter.
According to the Navy, «the request for cooperation from the Moroccan authorities was received yesterday, February 19, at 19:40 pm, to rescue the three crew members of the sailing ship “Indian Summer”, which was 80 nautical miles away, the equivalent of 148 kilometers , southwest of Cape São Vicente'.
The sailboat crew “reported that they had a serious problem with the propulsion machine and that with the severe weather conditions that were felt in the area – wind of 27 knots and swell of 7 meters – they needed urgent help”, says the Navy.
Before the engagement of the Air Force helicopter, which ended up carrying out the rescue, “there were several rescue attempts by the merchant ship “River Pearl”, which always remained close to the vessel and supported the search and rescue operations.
The helicopter was eventually deployed at 2:25 am, through collaboration with the Lisbon Air Search and Rescue Coordination Center (RCC Lisboa).
The rescue of the three men, two French, aged 28 and 29, and a British man, aged 62, ended up taking place about three hours later. The crew were safely removed from the sailboat to Figo Maduro airport.
According to the Navy, «the sailors did not need medical assistance, and the three elements were later accompanied by agents of the Foreigners and Borders Service».
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