AQUATAZ - very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: AQUATAZ
GAMA reference: 2018-076
Data da ocorrência acidental: 19-04-2018
Circulated on: 15-10-2018
Published on: 19-11-2018
Casualty Event: Foundering
Summary
On 19 April 2018, AQUATAZ departed Cascais Marina with two crew members and eight passengers for a one-hour coastal excursion. Off Parede beach, the craft was struck successively on the starboard quarter and starboard side by three waves. The third wave was breaking and caused the craft to capsize rapidly, throwing everyone into the water. Nearby paddleboard users and the Cascais lifeboat station assisted the casualties. All ten persons were recovered without serious injury. AQUATAZ was a total loss.
Safety recommendations
SR 2018-076 A: Assess establishing a pre-boarding procedure requiring the crew to explain their respective roles, emergency procedures, the planned route and estimated duration, and the arrangements for any passenger emergency, and to verify that every lifejacket is correctly donned and secured. The company reported that the recommendation was under consideration.
Lessons learned
Passengers should receive a clear safety briefing in a language they understand before departure, including the route, expected duration, lifejacket use and emergency procedures. Crew members should be briefed on their duties and maintain effective communication and lookout, particularly when one member is unfamiliar with the vessel or local conditions. Coastal excursion planning should consider depth, tide, swell direction and the possibility that waves may begin breaking in areas that appeared safe earlier.