Coastguard rescue service “recognises people may want to go into sea”
As Easters go this one definitely won’t be one with sweltering temperatures, but authorities have at least anticipated the likelihood that people may want to visit the beaches, and are stepping up coastal patrols.
The ‘official beach season’, in which lifeguards are present on multiple beaches, is still some way off, but this year has already seen tragedies due to good weather and bad choices – they happen every year. Thus this year’s Praia Segura (Safe Beach) project has initiated a ‘reinforcement of mainland beach surveillance’, to be in force for the next 10 days.
New vehicles, including 14 VW Amarok pick-ups for rescues, and two ID.Buzz electric vehicles for logistical support in search and rescue, will be involved. In total, by the time the beach season properly begins (May/ June), the ISN rescue institute hopes to have a total of 37 Amaroks, plus the ID.Buzz vehicles.
According to ISN director Captain Jorge Lourenço Gorricha, resources will be deployed mainly in areas of the Centre and South, where various indicators suggest that there may be a greater influx of bathers, in spite of the unstable weather.
He repeated warnings that people should avoid taking risks as the sea is still “a winter sea, posing dangers many people do not perceive”.
Source: Lusa
