In statements to the Lusa news agency at 10:50 am today, Paulo Mariano, vice-president of the Figueira da Foz Port community, explained that the general cargo ship Eikborg, flying the Dutch flag, is without controls, without a rudder and adrift, navigating only to stay afloat, in reverse, while waiting for tugboats that will have to travel from the port of Leixões, as there are none in Figueira da Foz or Aveiro.

“The ship is rudderless. At this moment, it is adrift. It is trying to maintain some course, sailing backwards, it is going backwards, which is counterproductive, but it is the only solution he [the captain] has, to try to control the ship, until someone comes to the rescue,” said Paulo Mariano.

He classified the situation as “the storm of storms,” warning of the danger of the 89-metre cargo ship sinking, with the predicted worsening of sea conditions: “Because, if it starts taking on water in the engine room, it is liable to sink. We are here on the verge, and I am not exaggerating, of a tragedy happening,” he warned.