Funchal Captaincy extends safety advisories; maritime connection between Funchal and Porto Santo impacted
Here it goes, mate!
Warning's in play until 6 PM on Wednesday! Gather 'round, 'cause the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has the scoop on what's brewing in Madeira.
The local authorities are sounding the alarm, predicting wind from the west/northwest, blowing fresh to strong (around 50 kilometers per hour), turning to southwest from morning and reaching strong (between 50-62 kilometers per hour) by afternoon.
So, what about visibility at sea? It'll be decent, but could get a bit hazy towards the end. As for the waves, brace yourself! On the north coast, expect 'em big, coming from the northwest, rising up to a whopping 4.5 meters by mid-morning, and reaching 3 to 4 meters in the west part of the south.
The boat captains are urging everyone, mariners, and landlubbers alike, to play it safe. They're recommending shipping communities and the general pop to prepare for a trip to sea, and if you're already at sea or near the coast, keep a close eye on the situation.
In addition, they suggest reinforcing moorings, monitoring vessels, avoiding strolls near the sea or areas exposed to marine activity, and steering clear of recreational fishing.
Speaking of setting sail, the Porto Santo Line, the folks behind the maritime line between Madeira and Porto Santo, have decided to fire up the Lobo Marinho ship a bit early — the trip slated for 9:30 PM on Wednesday is now set for 6 PM.
Regarding the May Day trips, the ones planned to depart from Funchal at 8 AM and from Porto Santo at 8 PM on the 1st, "ain't gonna happen, mate, 'causeen of those lousy weather conditions forecast for Porto Santo," according to the concessionaire's official announcement.
To tackle this, the Porto Santo Line offers alternatives: extra trips on Friday, May 2nd, with Funchal departures at 8 AM and 7 PM, and Porto Santo returns at noon and 10:30 PM.
Now, if you're after some different news… Arrests were made in Funchal for smuggling over a kilo of cocaine, with a purity higher than the norm, as reported last week[4].
[1] https://www.ipma.pt/pt/principal[2] https://www.ipma.pt/pt/climatologia-atmosfera/climatologia-a-temperatura-da-superficie-do-mar/[3] https://www.ipma.pt/pt/alertas[4] Arrested in Funchal with cocaine with "purity above the average" - Source Not Available for this Enrichment, Use Search Engines for More Info
- The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued warnings for Madeira, predicting strong winds from the northwest, reaching up to 62 kilometers per hour, and big waves, particularly on the north coast, potentially reaching 4.5 meters.
- Boat captains in Madeira are urging everyone to play it safe due to the predicted strong winds and large waves, recommending shipping communities and the general public to prepare for trips to sea and to keep a close eye on the situation if they are already at sea or near the coast.
- In addition to the warnings, they suggest reinforcing moorings, monitoring vessels, avoiding strolls near the sea or areas exposed to marine activity, and steering clear of recreational fishing.
- The Porto Santo Line has adjusted its schedule due to the weather conditions, cancelling May Day trips and offering alternatives on May 2nd, with extra trips from Funchal and Porto Santo.
