FALCÃO PEREGRINO e DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO - Very serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: FALCÃO PEREGRINO DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO
GAMA reference: 2024-053
Data da ocorrência acidental: 25-01-2024
Circulated on: 04-03-2024
Published on: 08-04-2024
Summary
On 25 January 2024, FALCÃO PEREGRINO and DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO were navigating on nearly reciprocal courses off Nazaré. Each wheelhouse was attended by a lookout while the respective Master rested. Although both radars were operating, collision risk was not identified in sufficient time and no effective avoiding action was taken. The collision caused massive flooding and the total loss of FALCÃO PEREGRINO. DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO provided immediate assistance and received all seven crew members before the vessel sank.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2024/053,
to the Master and owner of DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO:
Assess how to ensure safe navigation, taking account of the crew members on board and the capabilities of the navigational aids, including ensuring that the available alarms are active while under way. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
SR02-2024/053,
to the Directorate-General of the Maritime Authority:
Assess conducting a safety campaign in which Masters are asked, during afloat inspections, to demonstrate their ability to use wheelhouse equipment, particularly radar and CPA alarm settings. GAMA did not receive a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
Lessons learned
Radar being switched on does not by itself create safety. Lookouts must be able to interpret radar information, assess collision risk and use CPA and proximity alarms. Watchkeeping arrangements should match the competence of the person assigned and the complexity of the navigational context. Early and substantial avoiding action preserves recovery time. Immediate assistance from DIVINO ESPÍRITO SANTO enabled the safe transfer of the crew before FALCÃO PEREGRINO sank.