IRMÃOS MOITA - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: IRMÃOS MOITA
GAMA reference: 2026-253
Data da ocorrência acidental: 28-07-2026
Circulated on: 21-08-2026
Published on: 21-09-2026
Casualty Event: Loss of control (total or partial) of machine, means of transport or handling equipment, handheld tool, object, animal - Loss of control (total or partial) - of machine (including unwanted start-up) or of the material being worked by the machine
Summary
On 6 July 2026, IRMÃOS MOITA was hauling a gillnet or trammel net approximately seven nautical miles north of the entrance to Aveiro. During the operation, the foot of the crew member operating the net hauler became entangled in the fishing gear under tension.
The movement of the net dragged the crew member towards the hauling equipment, where he became trapped and sustained very serious injuries. The other crew members alerted the Master, who activated the emergency stop button located in the wheelhouse.
The crew member was evacuated to shore by the SR45 lifeboat and transported to hospital, where he died on 7 July 2026.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2026/253 - to the Permanent Committee for Monitoring the Safety of Seafarers:
Assess, in the light of the conclusions, contributing factors and lessons learned from this maritime safety investigation, the adequacy of protective measures and stopping arrangements associated with net haulers and fishing winches where an operator may become entangled, dragged, trapped or lose the ability to stop the equipment, and identify measures suitable for application in the fishing sector
SR02-2026/253 - to the Pro-Maior Segurança dos Homens do Mar Association:
Assess, together with its members, how the configuration of net haulers and fishing winches, working methods and stopping arrangements influence crews’ ability to prevent or interrupt entanglement, dragging and entrapment, and communicate the results to the Permanent Committee for Monitoring the Safety of Seafarers.
Lessons learned
Where a hauler operator must remain close to fishing gear under tension, safety depends on rapid detection of entanglement and interruption of movement before the condition progresses to dragging and entrapment. Protection and stopping arrangements should be evaluated for cases in which the operator cannot act and stopping therefore depends on detection, communication and intervention by others