The Captain of the Port and Local Commander of the Maritime Police of Horta, Amílcar Brás, who is coordinating the operations, reported at 6:15 PM local time (one hour later in Lisbon) that the searches conducted since early morning were unsuccessful.
The weapon used by the man, who was diving alone approximately 500 meters from where the buoy indicated his presence in the sea, was identified.
The searches will be suspended “when daylight ends” and will resume on Tuesday morning.
The National Maritime Authority (AMN) announced today that searches are underway for a recreational fisherman missing since Sunday afternoon in Lajes do Pico, on the island of Pico.
In a statement, the AMN noted that the man was reported missing after allegedly engaging in spearfishing at Ponta da Ilha, Pico Island.
Following an alert received at 7:37 PM local time on Sunday, via the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Delgada), “searches were immediately initiated at the site,” it was reported.
Captain of the Port and Local Commander of the Maritime Police of Horta, Amílcar Brás, confirmed today in the morning that the searches were paused at the end of Sunday and resumed at 7:00 AM today, with additional resources.
The search operations involve crew members from the Horta Lifeboat Station (vessel Nossa Senhora da Conceição), a Portuguese Navy ship (ocean patrol vessel from Ponta Delgada), and an EH 101 helicopter from the Portuguese Air Force.
Divers and personnel from the Volunteer Firefighters of Lajes do Pico and Madalena, São Roque do Pico Maritime Police Station, and the “SeaWatch” Project are also participating.
Amílcar Brás indicated that the man was alone while engaging in spearfishing and did not return to shore at the time agreed upon with his family.
“He was alone spearfishing and left the buoy indicating the activity in front of the lighthouse,” according to the Captain of the Port and Local Commander of the Maritime Police of Horta.
