New tourist regulations in Madeira impose fines for reckless rescue needs
The authorities in Madeira have introduced new regulations that will charge tourists penalties equivalent to the costs of rescue operations if they cause dangerous situations themselves. The decision is based on the need to save money, as the cost of an hour-long rescue operation using a helicopter and two pilots exceeds £1,050.
New regulations have been introduced in Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal, for tourists who, due to their irresponsible behaviour, require rescue assistance. According to the new regulations, tourists who ignore bans or stray from designated trails will have to cover the costs of the rescue operation themselves.
Irresponsible behaviour will lighten tourists' wallets
The authorities in Madeira emphasise that the decision to introduce new regulations stems from the necessity of cost-saving measures. The cost of an hour-long rescue operation using a helicopter and two pilots exceeds £1,050.
Interestingly, the new regulations do not apply to residents of the tourist island.
Rescue operations in Madeira
Over the past year, several rescue operations have been conducted in Madeira, including a mission to rescue a Polish couple who got stuck by a cliff at Ponta do Pargo. This operation required the use of a helicopter from the neighbouring island of Porto Santo.
One of the recent incidents was a rescue operation on 3rd January at 12:00 pm GMT, when a Polish couple had to spend the night in a cave due to the tide. Rescuers from four Portuguese formations concluded the operation the next day with the support of a helicopter.
The new regulations aim to discourage tourists from taking risky actions that can lead to dangerous situations requiring intervention from rescue services. The authorities in Madeira hope that the introduction of financial penalties will reduce the number of such incidents.
