Peniche || Two fishermen had a lucky escape on Sunday afternoon after their boat took on water off the Berlengas Islands, near Peniche.
According to reports, the men only had time to send a rapid distress signal before their radio batteries were flooded and stopped working.
“They were very lucky,” said their rescuer, fellow fisherman Vítor Bento.
As Bento approached the shipwreck in his boat “Luna”, the 9-metre “Elinelson” turned turtle and sank.
“It all happened so quickly,” he said. “I had imagined I might be able to tow the boat to safety, but there was no chance.”
The rescued fishermen, aged 71 and 56, had both scrambled to safety in rubber dinghy and were “frightened”, added Bento. The pair spoke only to Maritime Police once they reached dry land, and then went home to rest.
