CRISTO É COMPANHEIRO - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: CRISTO É COMPANHEIRO
GAMA reference: 2018-140
Data da ocorrência acidental: 19-07-2018
Circulated on: 07-01-2019
Published on: 18-02-2019
Casualty Event: Flooding (massive/progressive)
Summary
On 19 July 2018, CRISTO É COMPANHEIRO was deploying a purse seine when flooding was detected in the engine room. The water level reached the main engine and the vessel developed trim by the bow and a starboard heel. The available bilge pumps could not control the flooding. The Master transmitted a distress alert, instructed the crew to don lifejackets and ordered abandonment. All persons aboard transferred to the vessel’s tender and the tender of VITÓRIA COENTRÃO. VITÓRIA COENTRÃO recovered the crew and fishing net and returned to Matosinhos. No serious injuries or oil pollution were reported. CRISTO É COMPANHEIRO sank and was a total loss.
Safety recommendations
SR 2018-140 A: Assess ensuring that the engine room is not periodically unattended and that the water level and correct discharge of seawater from the cooling system are checked regularly throughout the voyage. No response was received.
SR 2018-140 B: Assess ensuring that the vessel sails with all equipment listed on the navigation certificate and does not operate without a replacement when the electrical bilge pump is defective. No response was received.
Lessons learned
Engine rooms should be monitored regularly throughout a voyage, particularly during fishing operations when machinery and hydraulic systems are in use. All bilge pumps and other safety equipment listed on the vessel’s certificates should be aboard, operational and immediately available. A defective safety-critical pump should be replaced before the vessel resumes operation.