Sailboat drifts off the coast of Madeira – rescue of Polish sailor
In the municipality of Machico, a sailboat anchored near the beach of São Roque lost its footing and began to drift along the coastline. The distress call was received by the Rescue Coordination Center in Funchal at 19:15.
The rescue operation involved the maritime police, rescuers from the SANAS maritime association, the regional maritime department and the municipal firefighters of Mashiko. Upon reaching the coast, the specialists found a 54-year-old Polish citizen who was already on land. The man suffered from hypothermia, so after providing emergency care, the fire department transported him to the hospital.
The local command of the Funchal Maritime Police took control of the investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
Context
The owner of the wrecked vessel has been ordered to provide a formal plan for its evacuation from the coastal zone. The sailboat will not be allowed to return to sea until it has passed a technical inspection to confirm its seaworthiness.