A man was rescued from the sea off the São Jorge swimming complex late yesterday afternoon after getting into difficulties close to the coast.
According to SANAS Madeira president Frederico Rezende, the alert reached the Porto Moniz rescue station at 18:36 and was confirmed six minutes later.
The SANAS 105 vessel was immediately dispatched from Porto Moniz, the only maritime rescue station currently operating along Madeira’s north coast, and headed towards São Jorge.
While the vessel was on its way, a SANAS professional on land maintained contact with the man and instructed him to move away from the shoreline and the breaking waves. His condition was monitored until the rescue team arrived.
The man was picked up by the SANAS vessel shortly afterwards. He showed no signs of hypothermia or injury and was subsequently brought ashore at Porto Moniz Pier.
Frederico Rezende warned once again about the dangers of entering the sea during adverse conditions, stressing that the incident could have had a far more serious outcome. He also highlighted the coordination between Civil Protection services and the SANAS personnel involved in the rescue.
Thankfully, nobody was injured. Nevertheless, incidents of this kind raise an uncomfortable question: why do people continue to disregard obviously dangerous sea conditions, placing not only themselves but also their rescuers at risk?
With just one operational rescue station covering Madeira’s entire north coast, every avoidable call-out also occupies resources that could be urgently needed elsewhere. The sea does not become safe simply because someone believes the warnings do not apply to them.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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