In the area of responsibility of the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC), the Portuguese Navy has already coordinated 137 search and rescue actions this year (until last November), having rescued 66 people.

The data was released by the Navy, according to which the three Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centers – in Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, and the Funchal Sub-Center – carried out 36 maritime search and rescue actions last November, resulting in the rescue of 12 people.

If the analysis is done year-by-year, 391 maritime search and rescue actions were carried out in 2023, resulting in 388 lives saved. According to the same source, by the end of last month, 232 incidents had been recorded in which 300 people were saved in the area, according to the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center.

At the Funchal Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Sub-Center, 22 search and rescue actions were coordinated, and 22 people were rescued. The Navy points out that different organizations contribute to the success of the search and rescue system and that resources from various entities are involved.

In particular, the Navy itself, the National Maritime Authority, the Portuguese Air Force, and other entities belonging to the Auxiliary Structure of the National Search and Rescue System, especially the National Institute of Medical Emergency – Guidance Center for Urgent Patients at Sea (INEM CODU-MAR), the National and Regional Civil Protection and Fire Services, the Maritime and Port Administrations, among other bodies.

Also noteworthy is the support merchant ships and fishing vessels provide in search and rescue actions, which deviate from their commercial routes to provide the necessary assistance under the coordination of the National Centers – MRCC Lisboa and MRCC Delgada. It should be noted that the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centres have already received national and international recognition for their work.

in Açoriano Oriental, Paulo Simões, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno