Boat in troubles

[Miguel N]

Is known here in Azores that a unknown boat is is serious problems 300 miles away from Flores Island  with strong winds around 50 knots and waves of 9 meters. Two helicopters Merlin EH101 Merlin of the portuguese Air Force are in the airport of Flores Island ( 39

[Miguel N]

Update on information:
At Flores airport the weather conditions are getting worst ( last METAR is : LPFL 020900Z 18021G40KT 5000 -RA FEW008 BKN014 BKN080 17/17 Q1015 ) so the two Merlin EH101 helicopters are still landed waiting for better weather conditions.  At the place is only known that the crew are 6 people and the boat is drifting away ( probably no engine ) .
The weather forecast for next24 to 36 hours  in Flores and even to all the Azores Islands is not good so ... This salvage is going to be really difficult.

Regards.
Miguel N

[Miguel N]

By the local TV station was known that is a fishing boat from Senegal with a crew of 6 members and they said the waves are around 9 meters high.Nothing else...

Miguel N

[Miguel N]

Is already known here that the 6 members of the crew of the fishing boat from Senegal is composed by two men form Spain,two from greece, one from Kenya and other from Burundi. But they are okk until now. The fishing boat experienced mechanical problems . This information was given locally by the Portuguese Air Force and the Command of Search and Maritime Rescue in Azores.

Regards
Miguel N

[Miguel N]

The salvage operations are finished at the moment. All the crew members of the fishing boat were rescued and now they  are flying aboard one of the Portuguese Air Force helicopters to the island of Terceira. About the boat no more information, maybe will be towed in a few days to any of our islands.

Regards.

Miguel N

[Miguel N]

Even in Portuguese here you can find some pictures of the salvage operation. http://www.emfa.pt/www/noticias/noticiasdetalhe.php?lang=pt&key=04012007X1
On shipspotting can be found a picture of the fishing boat here :
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=69651

Regards.

Miguel N