During the period when Portugal was trading with its Asian, African, and South American colonies, they were responsible for the protection and welfare of the merchant fleet (and the staggering wealth represented by the cargoes in their holds) once the ships approached the last leg of their voyages in the North Atlantic.
Under perioden då Portugal handlade med sina asiatiska, afrikanska och sydamerikanska kolonier, var de ansvariga för handelsflottans skydd och välfärd (och den enorma rikedomarna i deras last) så snart skeppen närmade sig sista delen av sin resa i nordatlanten.