The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 5th July 2023
by Mike Evans
With the news this week that the Sea temperatures around the Portugal Coast have risen it is a timely reminder that as more of us are venturing into the sea we remain vigilant to the inherent dangers that are associated with the sea around our coasts.
Portugal saw 27 deaths by drowning in the first quarter of the year – 12.5% up on the same period in 2022, according to data from the Portuguese Lifeguards Federation.
In numbers, this means that four more people drowned in the first three month period this year than last – the vast majority of them being men. Many of the accidents are as a result of the Rip Currents which we have mentioned many times on our Facebook and Website. The rip currents are one of the main causes of beach rescue. In the high season there have been many cases of people who have even died drowning in Portuguese beaches. It is a dangerous situation, but it can be avoided. In these situations it is important not to panic, or to swim against the current in the direction of land. It is an inglorious effort that causes people to exhaust themselves quickly. The best thing to do is to start swimming to the side and as soon as possible and if you are away from the rip current, try to catch a wave to land.
This link is for a Youtube video which shows how to combat being caught in a rip current. https://beachcam.meo.pt/en/newsroom/2018/05/rip-current-survival-guide/
Now let’s look at what other news has happened across the Algarve in the past week.
SAILBOAT RUNS AGROUND BETWEEN PRAIA DA LUZ AND PRAIA DO BURGAU IN LAGOS
A sailboat, about 15 metres long and with eight people on board, ran aground in a rocky area between Praia da Luz and Praia do Burgau, in the municipality of Lagos.
Following the alert received at 17h40, members of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Lagos, the Lifeguard Station of Sagres and the Volunteer Firefighters of Lagos were called to the scene.
Upon arrival at the vessel, the local Commander of the Maritime Police and Captain of the Port of Lagos, requested the support of maritime-tourist boats that were in the area, to transport the passengers to land.
Two of the occupants remained on board so that, with the support of the vessel from the Lifeguard Station in Sagres, the sailboat could be removed from the rocky area, being later accompanied to the Port of Lagos.
The collaboration of the Lagos Volunteer Fire Department was requested for water drainage.
PSP LAGOS – MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFTS IN HOMES AND BUSINESSES
A 43-year-old man, suspected of thefts from homes and businesses, was arrested in Lagos.
The investigation had been going on since March, when the first theft took place.
A search was carried out inside the suspect’s residence, where computers, cell phones, televisions, tools, electric bicycles, professional drones, camcorders, cameras, gold items, watches, golf items, perfumes, computer equipment, bags were seized. , etc.
The seizure made it possible to recover and seize objects worth more than 50 thousand euros.
The detainee was indicted for the practice of six crimes of aggravated theft and will be presented in court.
SEAWEED INVADES THE BEACHES OF CENTRAL/WEST ALGARVE
A seaweed originating in Asia has invaded the coasts of the western Algarve, with beaches where its accumulation has created a barrier 1.20 metres high.
As Anabela Rocha, mayor of Lagoa, one of the municipalities that was most affected, told Lusa, when the wind blows from the southeast “there is always the danger of these being thrown” on the beaches, such as in Carvoeiro, which had a “wall” with “a height of 1.20 metres along the entire length of the beach”.
Rui Santos, from the Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) at the University of Algarve (UAlg), ensures that THE ALGAE “DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A DANGER TO HUMAN HEALTH and its eradication is almost impossible”, and it is necessary to reduce the area it occupies through its “removal”.
The Câmara de Lagoa alone has already spent 40,000 euros on one of the interventions it carried out to clean the beach, having removed 400 tons of this invasive species.
Spain, which has been dealing with the problem for a longer time, predicts that a large part of Portugal will be affected.
PETIS DONATES 300 KGS OF ANIMAL FOOD TO ANIMAL RESCUE ALGARVE
Petis, a ‘100% Portuguese’ company, did not shy away from its motto – ‘Do not put off for tomorrow what you can do today’ – when it donated around 300 kgs of animal food to Animal Rescue Algarve.The significative aid comes in the wake of a request for help on behalf of ARA, which was granted in the context of an acknowledgment of the high-quality work developed by the nonprofit association, whose work reaches beyond its shelter in Cabanita, Loulé.
Since 2018 ARA has rescued and rehomed an excess of 1200 animals, who found new families across the whole of Portugal, and beyond. Petis’s donation included high-quality food for both cats and dogs, a meaningful contribution to the well-being of the animals residing at the shelter, many of which have tragic stories, and are on their way to a happy ending.
The cat food will also support the ‘Vila dos Gatos’ project, developed by ARA and supported by the Loulé Townhall and most of its Parishes. The project aspires to the sterilisation of up to 1.500 feral cats annually, as well as the management of its cat colonies; which includes the installation of shelters, as well as monitoring, feeding, and caring for these animals.
FARO COUNCIL CLAMPS DOWN ON ANIMAL CRUELTY VIOLATIONS
A total of 28 animal welfare violations were registered during a joint operation involving Faro Council’s municipal veterinary service (SVM) and PSP police, which was carried out at the Horta da Areia neighbourhood on June 15.
The goal was to “ensure compliance with regulations and raise awareness about proper pet care”, the local council said in a statement to the press. A total of 17 dogs were checked on, leading to 28 infractions. The most common violations were the absence of mandatory electronic identification, or microchips, meaning that the dogs were not registered in the national pet animal information system (SIAC). Several dogs were also found to be roaming the streets unsupervised, which led to their owners being fined.
Three stray dogs were also captured and taken to Faro’s official animal shelter. The council added that its municipal veterinary services will continue carrying out similar operations to guarantee that pet animal regulations are respected in the borough.
PSP OFFICER SAVES A CHOKING 15 DAY OLD BABY
Pedro Leão, a PSP officer from Lagos, saved a 15 day old baby last week, when the distressed mother rushed into the police station with her, “not breathing and no longer with vital signs”.
A car stopped at the roundabout next to the police station, around 1:30 pm, the officer said, “the mother came into the police station crying, saying that the baby was dying, that she was not breathing.” The baby had choked while being fed.
Pedro Leão said that he saw that the baby was purple, “she was not reacting and I immediately started the Heimlich manoeuvre,” which he learned in his police training, a first aid procedure used in situations of suffocation due to airway obstruction. “After two minutes, the baby coughed and breathed again, much to everyone’s relief.”
The Lagos Volunteer Firefighters were called after another PSP agent called 112. The firefighters stabilised the child and transported her to the Portimão Hospital. The baby was discharged just a few hours after being admitted.
Asked about being called a “hero”, Pedro Leão said that “all of us who leave the house in the morning wearing this uniform are subject to this, being a hero is part of this profession”.
The officer had been involved two or three times in other similar rescues, but never with a child, which he described as a “different feeling”.
And with that “feel good” story we wish you a safe week.