A complex offshore rescue operation, at the boundary between Spanish and Portuguese waters, has once again demonstrated the capability, experience, and coordination of our search and rescue team.

On April 22nd, multiple assets were deployed after distress alerts were received from a vessel sailing more than 155 nautical miles west of Vigo (Galicia). The operation involved rescuing an Estonian-flagged sailboat at risk of sinking. The long distance from the coast and the evolving nature of the incident required extremely precise coordination between the different teams. In this context, the Pesca I helicopter, operated by the Servizo de Gardacostas de Galicia, played a key role in the mission.

The crew faced the challenges inherent to long-range operations, but successfully assisted and evacuated all the sailboat’s crew members, bringing them safely to shore.

The operation was led by Captain Marcos Ogando, alongside co-pilot Philipe Andre, crane operator José Luis Iglesias, and rescue swimmer Carlos Rodríguez: “Thanks to the outstanding team we had on board yesterday, we managed to make something very complex look easy. Together, we brought over 80 years of experience within the Servizo de Gardacostas de Galicia,” Captain Ogando noted. “For me, this has been the longest-range mission I have taken part in.”

This operation highlights the importance of experience, coordination, and teamwork in high-risk maritime environments, especially in long-range missions where response capabilities are pushed to their limits.

Thanks to the professionalism and commitment of our teams, the Servizo de Gardacostas de Galicia continues to provide an essential service under some of the most demanding conditions at sea.