CARLOS CUNHA - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: CARLOS CUNHA
GAMA reference: 2025-456
Data da ocorrência acidental: 16-12-2025
Circulated on: 22-09-2026
Published on: 23-10-2026
Casualty Event: Flooding (massive/progressive)
Summary
On 16 December 2025, the Portuguese-flagged coastal fishing vessel CARLOS CUNHA, having departed from the port of Vigo with seven Indonesian crew members on board, was preparing for fishing operations off the Portuguese coast. At approximately 07:49, about 210 nautical miles off Praia de Mira, Aveiro, Portugal, the vessel was reportedly struck by two waves, causing it to list to port, take on water and subsequently sink. Two fishing vessels in the vicinity, ARTUR E TERESA and TANIA MARIA, as well as the merchant vessel FEDERAL BEAUFORT, immediately participated in the search and rescue operations. ARTUR E TERESA rescued three persons: two crew members alive from a liferaft and one unconscious crew member from the water, who subsequently died. At the time of circulation of this report, the occurrence had resulted in two injured crew members, one fatality and four missing crew members, as well as the total loss of the vessel.
Safety recommendations
SR 01-2025-456
Addressed to Associação Pró-Maior Segurança dos Homens do Mar (APMSHM):
Assess the benefits of promoting, in cooperation with organisations representing the fishing sector, awareness-raising initiatives for skippers, owners and crews of vessels using surface longlines, focusing on the risks associated with water ingress during fishing operations, free-surface effects on vessel stability, the influence of weather and sea conditions on hauling operations, and the management of rapidly developing flooding emergencies. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
SR 02-2025-456
Addressed to B.P.L. Baleeira Pescas, Lda.:
Assess whether the location, accessibility and conditions of use of individual and collective life-saving appliances on vessels under its responsibility allow their timely use during fishing operations and emergencies. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
SR 03-2025-456
Addressed to B.P.L. Baleeira Pesca, Lda.:
Assess, through practical scenarios involving crew members and the equipment available on board, the collective ability of crews to communicate, coordinate and respond to water-ingress and abandonment emergencies, including when the skipper or another person performing critical functions becomes unavailable. Use the assessment to identify practical difficulties and opportunities for improvement, implement appropriate measures and repeat the relevant parts of the scenarios to verify that the crew’s response capability has been strengthened. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
SR 04-2025-456 — Addressed to B.P.L. Baleeira Pesca, Lda.: Assess the effectiveness of having criteria for suspending hauling operations. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
Lessons learned