Three crew, all Spaniards, on board the Portuguese flagged ‘Raio de Luz’ which ran aground and sank off the island of Culatra, have all been rescued
The operation was coordinated by the Maritime Search and Rescue service in Lisbon with the Port Authority Olhão.
A distress call was received at 3.20am and the Captain of the Port of Olhão sent out the police speedboat and the local lifeboat which rescued the men at 4.05am.
No further medical care was needed and the men have been providing statements as to how and why they managed to sink their boat on a calm night with good visibility, if as sober as claimed.
The vessel hit the sea defence at the entrance to the Ria Formosa. It was registered in Cascais and had set out from Huelva.
The boat easily can be located as its masts are sticking out of the water. The authorities have already contacted a salvage company which will remove the obstacle.
