ALBERTINO CASTANHO - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: ALBERTINO CASTANHO
GAMA reference: 2021-238
Data da ocorrência acidental: 28-10-2021
Published on: 31-08-2022
Casualty Event: Fall overboard
Summary
On 28 October 2021, ALBERTINO CASTANHO was returning to Figueira da Foz when a crew member lost balance and fell overboard while handling ropes on the port side. The Master witnessed the fall and immediately initiated a recovery manoeuvre. The casualty was recovered unconscious after approximately seven minutes. The crew provided basic life support during the return passage, but the casualty was pronounced deceased after arrival in port.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2021/238,
to DGRM: Assess amending Decree-Law No. 9/2011 of 18 January so that persons aboard coastal fishing vessels are required to wear lifejackets while the vessels are operating, applying the same principle established for local fishing vessels.
The recommendation was accepted. DGRM proposed provisions requiring lifejackets aboard coastal fishing vessels while operating and permitting suitable personal flotation devices as an alternative, subject to the applicable regulatory conditions.
Lessons learned
Lifejackets provide essential flotation, reduce physical effort and help maintain the airway after a fall overboard. Man-overboard recovery capacity should not depend on a single person. Immediate detection and prompt recovery are critical, but personal flotation equipment preserves survival time until recovery.