Four fishermen were rescued from a shipwrecked fishing boat, which collided with another vessel, near Vila Real de Santo António.
According to the maritime police, the accident took place at around 3.30am on Monday, about a mile off the Vila Real de Santo António coast. The distress signal reached the search and rescue coordination centre at 3.39am and the rescue took place 11 minutes later.
When the maritime police arrived at the scene, they rescued the four fishermen who were already jumping into a lifeboat as their vessel, Herança do Mar, was already partially submerged.
Commander Ventura Borges, Captain of Vila Real de Santo António port, reported that the other vessel involved in the collision – the Peixe de Ouro – had suffered some damage, but the crew, comprising six fishermen, was able to return to shore under its own power.
Authorities are now hearing witnesses to establish responsibility for the accident.
