The Navy reported that an alert was received at 04:59, prompting the immediate deployment of the NRP Zaire ship, the EH-101 helicopter, and the C-295 aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force to the location.
Four crew members were found aboard a raft, approximately 180 kilometers northeast of Porto Santo Island, due to a fire on the sailboat they were traveling in.
After assessing the clinical condition of one crew member, it was deemed necessary to deploy a Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR), activated through Madeira’s Regional Civil Protection Service, which proceeded on the EH-101 helicopter.
“The rescue concluded at 13:50, and the helicopter landed at 14:30 at Funchal airport, where it was met by two ambulances from the Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters and another EMIR team, which transported the victims to a hospital,” the statement said.
