CAVALEIRO - Very Serious Maritime casualty
Vessel: CAVALEIRO
GAMA reference: 2015-124
Data da ocorrência acidental: 13-07-2015
Circulated on: 12-07-2024
Published on: 12-08-2024
Casualty Event: Grounding
Summary
On 13 July 2015, CAVALEIRO departed Peniche with six crew members for a trammel-net fishing voyage. After rounding Cabo Carvoeiro, the Master re-engaged the autopilot and proceeded towards Ponta da Papôa at 6 to 7 knots.
The Master was alone in the wheelhouse and began consulting notes concerning fishing grounds and fishing gear. Regular visual and electronic checks of the vessel’s position were not maintained. No radar alarm was active, and the echo sounder was switched off.
At 0333, CAVALEIRO grounded on rocks in the Frei Rodrigo area. A distress call was transmitted on VHF channel 16, lifejackets were distributed and the liferaft was launched but was driven against the rocks.
As the casualty site was inaccessible by land and sea, all six crew members were evacuated by helicopter. The vessel subsequently sustained further damage under the action of the sea and was a total loss. No pollution was recorded.
Safety recommendations
Lessons learned
Autopilot use does not remove the need to maintain a continuous lookout and frequently verify the vessel’s position using independent visual and electronic means.
During coastal navigation at night, wheelhouse lighting should preserve night vision, appropriate navigation alarms should be activated, and the person keeping the watch should avoid tasks that divert attention from monitoring the vessel’s position and trac