Ria Formosa acdcident

[25931]

I've just seen a report about an accident that ocured before dawn yesterday.
A Policia Maritima patrol saw a boat fishing illegally off Faro. When the fishermen saw the PM they took off at high speed and during the chase the PM hit another boat in which were a father and son. The father was injured and lost consciousness and was taken to Faro. No more info. at the moment.

 

[GrahamM376]

I suspect this has something to do with illegal fishing/theft of seahorses. TV news article a few days ago said PM would be increasing patrols at night after a car was pulled a few days ago heading for Spain with a large number caught in Ria.

 

[Yngmar]

From https://algarvedailynews.com/news/1...after-police-patrol-boat-rams-the-wrong-boat:

12 January 2018

Fisherman lies in coma after Police patrol boat rams the wrong boat

A Maritime Police patrol boat, chasing a fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing in the Ria Formosa, collided at speed with a second boat with two people on board, a father and his 40-year-old son.

The accident happened at 06:30 this morning in the Ria Formosa lagoon near Faro.

While the first boat escaped in the early morning darkness, a fisherman in the second boat was seriously injured and was rushed by ambulance to Faro hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The medics have issued a ‘reserved’ prognosis for the 65-year-old local who now is in an induced coma.

The Maritime Police team, having ploughed into the second boat, stopped to assist the two men and had to let the first boat go - it has yet to be identified.

A Maritime Police spokesman said that the service is "following closely the evolution of the situation, and has already sent a psychologist to the scene to support the fisherman's family and the operatives involved in the accident."

An inquiry will be held to establish how an innocent pair of fishermen ended up being rammed in the dark by a speeding patrol boat.

 

[Ric]

I would not be surprised if the small fishing boat was not displaying any lights.

 

[GrahamM376]

I would not be surprised if the small fishing boat was not displaying any lights.

Or the PM for that matter, they have a large 750HP black rib which frequently comes planing through the moorings with no lights, anyone without lights on dinghy wouldn't stand a chance.

 

[Ric]

It's not unreasonable for the police launch to navigate at night without lights, when operationally necessary. It's quite another matter for a fishing boat to not show lights.

It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out that the incident boat was also illegally fishing..

 

[nortada]

It's not unreasonable for the police launch to navigate at night without lights, when operationally necessary. It's quite another matter for a fishing boat to not show lights.

It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out that the incident boat was also illegally fishing..

Quite so but in this case I would venture that public safety outweighs operational necessity. Nevertheless, I feel for the PM officers concerned.

When you refer to incident boat do you mean the target or the casualty?

If, as I think, you are referring to the casualty, then whether or not it was fishing illegally, is not relevant. In fact, you could say it is a red herring!

Is there any further news on the guy(s) in hospital?

All over illegal fishing or sea-horses; all very said

 

[GrahamM376]

Is there any further news on the guy(s) in hospital?
All over illegal fishing or sea-horses; all very said

Nothing on Kiss FM or national tv or radio over the weekend. May be something on RTP1 TV regional news at 6 this evening.

 

[GrahamM376]

It's not unreasonable for the police launch to navigate at night without lights, when operationally necessary. It's quite another matter for a fishing boat to not show lights.

It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out that the incident boat was also illegally fishing..

Most likely not commercial fishing boat, likely to be small open boat with hobby fishermen. High speed rib with pm in black wet gear and balaclavas would have been very difficult to spot in time to show light.

 

[25931]

Sad news - the injured man has died. The boat was an open pleasure boat. No doubt there will be an inquest with further details.

 

[anajoy38]

Sad news - the injured man has died. The boat was an open pleasure boat. No doubt there will be an inquest with further details.

Oh that is so sad. Why can't people just get legal so these tragedies can be avoided.

 

[GrahamM376]

Oh that is so sad. Why can't people just get legal so these tragedies can be avoided.

Can you explain what was illegal? A small boat only has to show a white light when necessary and police run without lights so impossible to see until too late., we've had close encounters with them at night.