“It is recommended that ship owners of vessels adopt the necessary precautions to ensure their safety”, reads the statement issued by the captaincy.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued orange warnings for rain, wind and strong sea waves from 12 pm today in Madeira.

The warning for persistent rain, sometimes heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms is in force between 12 pm and 6 pm, on the north coast and south coast of the island.

An orange warning was also issued for strong winds on the north coast of the island, with gusts of up to 100 km/hour, especially in the westernmost part, between 6 pm today and midnight on Sunday.

As for maritime unrest, an orange warning is in effect between 9 pm today and midnight on Sunday, with waves from the northwest measuring five to 6.5 meters being forecast, reaching a maximum height of 11 metres.

The island of Porto Santo is under yellow warning for sea disturbances between 3 pm and 9:00 pm today, then changing to orange until 12 pm on Sunday.

IPMA also issued a yellow warning for periods of rain or showers in Porto Santo between 3 pm and 9 pm today, as well as for strong winds, with gusts of up to 90 km/hour, until 6 am on Sunday.

The mountainous regions of the island of Madeira will be under orange warning for heavy rain between 12 pm and 6 pm today and for very strong wind, with gusts of up to 120 km/hour, between 6 pm today and midnight on Sunday.

The orange warning – the second most serious on a scale of three – is issued whenever there is a “moderate to high risk meteorological situation” and the yellow warning whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation.