The Navy and the National Maritime Authority “will continue to monitor the situation and make every effort to ensure the safety of navigation and the safeguarding of maritime spaces under national sovereignty or jurisdiction”.
The Portuguese Navy is monitoring a barge, about 60 meters long and 15 meters wide, which is adrift in the Azores and poses a danger to navigation, it was announced today.
According to a statement from the Navy, the barge is adrift 50 nautical miles (equivalent to about 93 kilometers) north of the island of São Miguel and 53 nautical miles (about 98 kilometers) east of the island of Terceira, in the Azores.
“Given that it represents a danger to navigation, notices have been issued to navigation, noting its position, warning of the need to avoid the area, proceed with caution and take the necessary precautions,” the source said.
The barge “is not drifting towards land” and “with the present weather and sea conditions, this is not expected to happen”, he added.
The presence of the vessel was reported by the transit navigation and since the 10th it has been monitored by the Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority.
“The Azores Maritime Zone Command committed the António Enes corvette to collect information, monitor its position and follow its drift. Being that, it was possible to ascertain the absence of materials likely to cause pollution “, according to the note.
In addition to the vessel, satellite remote sensing is being used to monitor the barge and continue to broadcast navigation warnings with updated positions.
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority “will continue to monitor the situation and make every effort to ensure the safety of navigation and the safeguarding of maritime spaces under national sovereignty or jurisdiction”.
Authorities are seeking to discover the ownership of the barge and consequent responsibility for the situation.
