The Chamber of Lagoa in the Algarve will try to free on Tuesday four ships stuck on the sand of Praia Grande in Ferragudo due to several storms, the president of the municipality told Lusa this Monday.
“Tomorrow, day two [de abril]“A new attempt will be made to remove all the vessels there because the owners responsible for their removal have not been able to solve the problem with their own means,” Luis Encarnazan told Lusa.
According to the mayor, the approach of the swimming season meant that the city council, in consultation with the Portimão harbourmaster, decided to take the lead in removing the boats, with the costs of the operation subsequently being borne by the respective owners.
There are three sailing ships in total and a larger pleasure craft, which, anchored uncrewed in the bulkhead and sheltered side of the pier, was unable to withstand the force of the wind and sea and eventually broke free – the first time the last time. October and the last one a week ago – and ran aground on Praia Grande de Ferragudo, a few tens of meters from here.
“We are approaching the swimming season and therefore we cannot have boats there,” insisted Luis Encarnazan.
The municipal official said that in the future, an organized system with poitas – stones or heavy objects serving as anchors – should be established in which boat owners will be properly identified and contacted.
“Naturally, they will also pay the appropriate fee for occupying a place that is in maritime public property,” added the president of this municipality in the Faro district.
The four boats have become a tourist attraction, especially on weekends when many people come to this beach to watch and take photos next to the boats stuck on the sand.
This beach is located on the left bank of the Arade estuary, just in front of the marina, in front of Portimão, which is on the other side of the river.
On March 12, an attempt was made, which ended in failure, to remove the three ships then stationed in Praia Grande.
The dates chosen for the removal of the boats are related to the existence of so-called “spring tides” – a high tide that coincides with a new or full moon.