ETE PORTUGAL - Very serious maritime casualty
Vessel: ETE PORTUGAL
GAMA reference: 2026-231
Data da ocorrência acidental: 09-06-2026
Circulated on: 24-07-2026
Published on: 24-08-2026
Casualty Event: Missing
Summary
On 02 June 2026, a crewmember with role of Supercargo (S), a Portuguese national,
joined the Lithuanian-flagged general cargo vessel ETE PORTUGAL (ETE) in Ponta Delgada,
Azores, for the first time on board the vessel.
The vessel operates a regular service route calling at several ports across the Azores, as
well as the ports of Leixões and Lisbon. She was manned by 13 crew members.
On 06 June 2026, at 22:30 hours (all times are local unless otherwise stated), following
cargo loading and unloading operations, ETE departed Ponta Delgada bound for the Port
of Leixões, Portugal.
During the morning of 09 June 2026, Master and Chief Officer (CO) noticed S's absence,
which was initially attributed to him resting in his cabin, as his duties were not required
during the sea passage. Master attempted to contact S by calling his cabin from the
bridge, but there was no response. CO was instructed to inspect S cabin. At approximately
08:20 hours, the cabin was found to be unoccupied.
On 09 June 2026, at 08:30 hours, a shipboard search was initiated and subsequently
extended to all accessible spaces on board. The general alarm was sounded, and a full
crew search was conducted throughout the vessel without locating the missing seafarer.
On 09 June 2026, at approximately 08:40 hours, the onboard search was concluded
without result, and the occurrence was assessed as missing person. The Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre (MRCC) Lisbon was informed which coordinated the subsequent
search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Upon instructions from MRCC Lisbon, ETE reversed course and retraced her route in the
opposite direction. The SAR operation continued until approximately 11:17 hours on 10
June 2026, when MRCC Lisbon suspended the SAR operation and instructed ETE to
resume her voyage to the Port of Leixões. The missing seafarer was not recovered and
was subsequently declared missing.
Safety recommendations
2026-231 SR 01
To ISM COMPANY of ETE PORTUGAL
Afalita Shipping Assess the need to review and formalise procedures related to Supercargo or related personnel. Response received: Yes Afalita Shipping accepted the proposed safety recommendation and informed GAMA that additional measures will be implemented on the company’s vessels to prevent similar incidents from occurring. •
2026-231 SR 02
To ISM COMPANY of ETE PORTUGAL
Afalita Shipping Assess the feasibility of introducing technological means to improve personnel accountability and early detection of potential overboard or missing-person events. Response received: Yes Afalita Shipping accepted the proposed safety recommendation and informed GAMA that additional measures will be implemented on the company’s vessels to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
2026-231 SR 03
To the International Maritime Organization (via SIDMJRL)
Consider submitting a proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the development of guidance addressing the management of unwitnessed disappearances at sea and suspected man overboard events on board container vessels. At the date of publication of this marine safety investigation report, GAMA had not received a response from Safety Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania (SIDMJRL) to the safety recommendation 2026- 087 SR03.
Lessons learned
Under the revised Master's Standing Orders, the Supercargo is now required to report to the bridge each morning at 08:00 hours and personally confirm his wellbeing to the Master. This instruction is formally acknowledged by the Supercargo through signature and forms part of the vessel's standing orders.