The Portuguese Air Force has located and helped rescue a man who had been adrift on a sailing boat for 12 days, during a routine maritime patrol mission in the Mediterranean on 27th January.
According to a statement only issued by the Air Force on Friday, the aircraft initially encountered adverse weather conditions caused by the passage of a weather front associated with Storm Kristin. Several merchant vessels in the area were navigating defensively to shelter from the storm.
After crossing the weather front, the Air Force crew spotted a sailing boat drifting at sea and observed the sailor waving for help. It was later confirmed that the man had been in that situation for around 12 days and had previously been the subject of search and rescue operations by the Spanish authorities, which had proved unsuccessful.
The incident was reported to Portugal’s national Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, which then liaised with the Algerian Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to ensure the necessary coordination in international waters.
“Recognising that the sailing boat would be hit by the storm within approximately two hours, the crew immediately began searching the area for a vessel that could provide assistance,” the statement said. A merchant ship, the MV Thor Confidence, was subsequently identified and, after being contacted, was guided by the Air Force aircraft towards the drifting yacht.
The merchant vessel later confirmed visual contact with the sailboat and began rescue operations. The Air Force aircraft remained in the area, providing support and monitoring the operation until the sailor’s successful and safe recovery was confirmed.
Source: LUSA
