In just two days, the Portuguese Navy rescued 12 people who were onboard sailboats that struggled with rough seas near the archipelago of the Azores.
With 10-metre high waves crashing down on them, five sailboats had to call the Navy for help to safely escort them to land on Wednesday (May 6).
While most of the rescue attempts went smoothly, one almost turned into tragedy when a French sailboat started to sink in the early hours of this morning (May 7).
Four crew members were onboard the sailboat and two actually fell into the sea.
The Navy acted quickly, however, and the two crewmen – father and son – were rescued from the water.
National media reports that all of the rescued crew members are now safe.
