Tourists to face fines for risky rescues in Madeira
The authorities in Madeira have implemented regulations to hold tourists liable for the costs of rescue operations if they create dangerous situations. This pertains to instances where visitors on the Portuguese island disregard prohibitions. The cost of such risky behaviour will be substantial.
In Madeira, a popular archipelago of Portugal, new rules have been put in place concerning tourists. Individuals who ignore warnings or stray off designated trails, putting themselves at risk, will be required to cover the expenses of the rescue operation.
This decision was approved by the authorities of the autonomous region. The new regulations, effective Tuesday, stipulate that tourists must pay for organizing the rescue operation, including helicopter rentals and the work of pilots and rescuers.
The cost of an hour-long operation using a helicopter and two pilots exceeds 1,750 CAD. The authorities of Madeira justify these changes by the need to introduce savings.
Exceptions to the new regulations
The regulations do not apply to residents of the archipelago. Over the last year, several rescue operations involving a helicopter have been conducted on Madeira.
One such case occurred on January 3, when a couple from Poland got stuck near a cliff close to Ponta do Pargo. Due to the tide, they had to spend the night in a cave, and rescue arrived only the next day, thanks to a rescue team from the neighbouring island of Porto Santo.
The new regulations aim to discourage tourists from engaging in risky actions and to enhance safety on the island. The authorities of Madeira hope this will reduce the number of dangerous incidents.
