“The Government of the Azores has already taken steps to ensure alternative solutions for supplying the island of Flores, including using the resources of the Portuguese Air Force to transport essential goods by air, which will be carried out tomorrow [Friday] if the conditions for the operation are met,” said the executive.

The strong sea waves have been affecting regular supplies to the islands of Flores and Corvo.

In a statement to the press, the Azorean government said that the weather forecasts for the next few days “remain highly restrictive for maritime-port operations” and will continue to limit supplies to the island of Flores “at least until next Tuesday and again on subsequent days.”

However, according to the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, on Wednesday, “it was possible to conduct some supply operations” due to some improvement in the weather. Priority was given to the Thor B and São Jorge ships, given “the fuel needs in Flores and, in particular, in Corvo, with the threat of an imminent rupture” of ‘stock’.

In the note, the Government of the Azores adds that, due to the “prolonged time” of the operations of these two ships, “it would be unfeasible to operate the Margarethe”, a container ship, “on the same day”.

The executive recalls that the difficulties in supplying Flores are not only due to the state of the sea and the swell near the island but also to the route between São Miguel, Faial, and Flores, which “condition and jeopardize the safety of the vessel and the cargo.”

The regional executive also guarantees that it “maintains and will maintain” permanent monitoring of the situation and “collaborative and diligent interaction with all public and private partners” to “ensure supplies to the island of Flores as soon as the minimum conditions are met.”

In Açoriano Oriental-Paula Goveia, director–from LUSA News Service

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