The National Maritime Authority reported that an alert was received at 4:39 PM regarding a recreational vessel on fire off the coast of Madalena do Mar, in the western region of Madeira Island. In response, lifeguard station crews from Funchal, a vessel from SANAS MADEIRA (shipwreck rescue), along with officers from the Funchal Maritime Police and the regional Civil Protection, were immediately dispatched.
Upon arrival, it was discovered that two nearby vessels had rescued the victims, a Dutch family consisting of two adults and two teenagers, transporting them to the marina of Calheta.
At the marina, the victims were attended to by the local fire brigade and the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) before “leaving the area by their own means”.
“The vessel eventually sank during firefighting operations”, stated the National Maritime Authority, adding that the port captain and local commander of the Funchal Maritime Police coordinated the rescue operation.
