Three people, two of Spanish nationality and one Swedish, aged between 25 and 40, were rescued on Thursday night after the high-speed vessel they were on drifted about 60 nautical miles west of Viana do Castelo.
The three occupants were initially picked up by a merchant ship, which also towed the vessel to the vicinity of the coast. Following the alert, means from the Lifeboat Station of Viana do Castelo, Maritime Police, Port Captaincy, Judicial Police and GNR were mobilized to coordinate the rescue operation.
At about two nautical miles west of the outer breakwater of Viana do Castelo, Maritime Police elements proceeded to rescue the three occupants from the merchant ship. The authorities reported that the three citizens were physically well and were identified at the scene.
The vessel, flying a Spanish flag, was towed by the Lifeboat Station to its respective quay, where it was ultimately seized as a precautionary measure.
