The following is a recent exchange of emails between myself and Simon Barron the owner and skipper of ‘Southern Promise’ a 60 foot Ocean Alexander berthed at Portimão Marina.

Dear Martin,

Many thanks for your kind advice regarding our recent trip to Tavira. Apart from a false start due to the loss of one engine 20 minutes out (I found problem very quickly, it was a loose union on a fuel filter) The trip was uneventful and most enjoyable – Until one night at Tavira. I remember your good friend and colleague Eddie telling us students back in Dorset that more people die whilst using tenders than do at sea, so I have always been aware of this potential danger, however in this circumstance to a great degree fate was out of our hands.

We had anchored just before the entrance to the river, the last in a line of four boats. I checked with the very helpful people at the Club Nautico that we were in an acceptable position. You will no doubt have experienced the small fishing boats coming in and out of the town at night … at about 25 knots!!! You may also know of the fast water taxi that runs between the town, ferries and visiting boats etc. We made use of this service on our first night and had quite a hair raising ride to and from the town. I did question in my mind the safety of travelling in the dark at 25 knots in such a confined channel?? The next night we did the same trip, on the way back we had to drop off some day guests at the Club Nautico. It was a dark night but any navigation lights were quite visible, the water taxi made the drop and continued out to Southern Promise at full speed, one of the fishing boats was coming in at full power on the right hand and correct side of the channel. Our man however made for a direct approach to Southern Promise making firstly a diagonal crossing of the channel but then proceeded directly up the wrong side of the channel. He did not see the oncoming craft and neither did we until he was virtually upon us, when shouts of “Senhor” finally alerted him to the imminent danger, he managed to turn within feet, yes feet of the other craft at we estimate a closing speed of some 50 knots. The oncoming boat stopped some distance away because of his momentum, but then carried on, hopefully to confront the taxi driver at some later time.

All of us were in no doubt that we had been in a near death experience, the taxi skipper had seemingly broken enough rules to put his boat and the on coming boat and his passengers in perhaps the most dangerous of all situations. It also brings into question the practice of full speed anywhere in the river estuary area. One day I am sure we will read in ‘The Resident’ about ‘Death in Tavira’ … So very nearly our own!!! should really report the matter to the authorities, what do you think?

Regards, Simon.

Hello Simon,

Thank you for your email, your story is really quite shocking, you could have been seriously hurt. Yesterday was a lovely day so we went down to Quatro Stradas for lunch and took several photographs of the water taxi, one of which I have attached, can you tell me if this is the same water taxi? About seven years ago I was nearly hit by a water taxi at Quatro Aguas, probably the same one, although my incident was entirely my fault, it would have not been nearly so alarming if the water taxi had not been travelling at around twenty knots in the river in the dark.

We had anchored my boat at Quatro Aguas, just as you did, and after lunch on board went up the river in my dinghy, my crew enjoyed spending the afternoon seeing Tavira so much that having spotted a nice looking restaurant they said could we stay a bit longer and have an early dinner there, which we did and then began our return trip to Quatro Aguas in the dinghy, but without a torch as I had not intended staying in the town until after dark. Whilst carefully going round the last bend in the river we heard a motor boat travelling at speed and to ensure that we were not run down I turned quickly towards the river bank and into shallow water, the water taxi roared past us just a few meters away and as far as I know he never saw us! Since then even if I have not intended staying ashore until after dark, I have always taken a torch with me in my dinghy.

I agree with you he travels MUCH too fast in the dark, but I don't think it will do any good reporting him to the police. There is a police station at Quatro Aguas, they must be aware of the speed at which he travels and if they were ever going to do anything about it I feel they would have done so by now. Perhaps the only answer is even when travelling in the water taxi to carry a powerful torch, and perhaps to say to him that you are very nervous and will he please not go too fast (Eu sou muito nervoso por favor não vá muito depressa!).

All the very best, Martin.

Dear Martin, That appears to be him!! Notice the seat directly in front of the helm!! Regards, Simon.