It has been reported that a Danish yacht with four crew members on board, left the fishing port of Peniche (approx. 100km north of Lisbon) on Sunday 5 November at 07:00, to continue its passage southwards down the coast of Portugal towards Lisbon/Cascais, having arrived in port on 1 November.
Weather conditions over the last week have been very poor and on Sunday a red weather warning was in place, with rough seas and waves from the northwest expected to reach a significant height of seven to eight meters and a maximum height of 14/15 meters.
Despite locals and fishermen warning them not to leave port, the Danish yacht (believed to be a Bavaria 34) chose to venture out in the adverse conditions and continue their passage south.
On leaving the port, filming from shore shows that the yacht remained close inshore. The yacht was heavily reefed and struggling to sail upwind into deeper water in strong south-westerly winds. As the yacht was pushed up onto the beach of Playa de Santa Cruz, south of Peniche, a large breaking wave smothered the yacht completely, and it rolled and disappeared in the surf. The yacht appeared to be no more than half a mile off the beach.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that some debris, allegedly from the vessel, had reached the shore, along with three survivors of the sinking, two men and one woman, all without life jackets and in a state of cardiac arrest. Members of the Torres Vedras Volunteer Fire Department immediately began resuscitation maneuvers,” says the statement from the National Maritime Authority (AMN9).
A fourth, female, crew member was discovered later in the wreckage of the yacht.
The Navy spokesperson later confirmed that the four people, all believed to be foreign nationals, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Circumstances surrounding the boat’s sinking are still being investigated.
The Atlantic coast of Portugal is notorious for good surfing, and in strong onshore winds many ports close as conditions for entry and departure are dangerous. Great care should be taken when transiting/cruising this coast, especially when large waves and winds are forecast. Monitor the state of harbour entrances (continually updated) along the coast using the following website: National Maritime Authority (go to “Estado das Barras”)
The following links have images, videos and more information:
- YouTube film from shore of the capsize
- Sailing Anarchy Forums (interesting discussion)
- Spiegel (German news article)
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