Twenty-two search and rescue actions were coordinated by the Funchal Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Subcentre this year.
This was reported today by the Navy, which in its monthly balance sheet further indicated that the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centres of Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, and the Funchal Sub-Centre led 36 maritime search and rescue actions during November, resulting in 12 lives saved.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 391 maritime search and rescue actions throughout Portuguese territory, resulting in a total of 388 lives saved.
In addition, until the end of November, 232 incidents were recorded in which 300 people were saved in the area corresponding to the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Lisbon.
In the area of responsibility of the MRCC of Ponta Delgada, 137 search and rescue actions were coordinated, with 66 people being rescued, while in the Funchal Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Subcentre there is a record of 22 actions and 22 people saved.
In this regard, the Navy reiterates that, for the success of the search and rescue system, different organisations contribute resources from various entities, namely the Portuguese Navy, the National Maritime Authority, the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), and other entities belonging to the Auxiliary Structure of the National Search and Rescue System, in particular the National Institute of Medical Emergency – Centre for the Guidance of Urgent Patients at Sea (INEM CODU-MAR), the National and Regional Civil Protection and Fire Services, the Maritime and Port Administrations, among other bodies.
“Also noteworthy is the support provided by merchant ships and fishing vessels in search and rescue actions, which deviate from their trade routes to provide the necessary assistance, according to the coordination of the National Centres – MRCC Lisboa and MRCC Delgada,” the statement said.
The Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centres have already been recognised nationally and internationally for their work.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
