Cape Verde Halts Ferries Amid Stormy Seas & High Winds
Inter-island travel in Cape Verde has come to a standstill as CV Interilhas, the archipelago’s primary maritime transport concessionaire, suspended multiple ferry routes on Tuesday following warnings of dangerous sea conditions.
The suspension comes in response to a maritime meteorological bulletin from the National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INMG). Forecasters are predicting a “significant intensification” of wind and a severe deterioration of sea conditions that are expected to batter the islands through Saturday.
Routes Affected
Following a technical safety assessment, the company has halted operations on two major transit corridors:
- The “Round Line”: Connecting the islands of Santiago, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, and São Vicente.
- The “Triangular Line”: Covering the route between São Vicente, São Nicolau, and Santiago.
CV Interilhas emphasized that the decision was made strictly for the safety of passengers and crew. The company stated it is monitoring weather patterns closely and will resume operations only when navigation is deemed safe.
Dangerous Swells and High Winds
The weather alert, issued Monday, attributes the worsening conditions to the strengthening of the Azores anticyclone. This high-pressure system is driving powerful winds across the archipelago, with sustained speeds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour.
Travelers and coastal residents should prepare for significant swells. Starting Wednesday, the INMG anticipates the sea state will become particularly turbulent, with waves arriving from the northwest and northeast reaching heights between 2.5 and 5 meters (approximately 8 to 16 feet).
The maritime weather warning remains in effect until at least Saturday, potentially causing further disruptions to regional logistics and travel plans.
Image: Pexels – Ana Marta Jorge
