PATO REALCÉU ABERTO - Very Serious Maritime casualty
Vessel: PATO RELA
GAMA reference: 2014-283
Data da ocorrência acidental: 12-12-2014
Circulated on: 12-05-2015
Published on: 17-06-2015
Casualty Event: Collision - With other ship
Summary
On 12 December 2014, PATO REAL departed Troia at 0907 for Fontainhas, Setúbal, in dense fog. The ferry was proceeding at approximately 12 knots in the southern channel of the River Sado. Five crew members were on the bridge, the radars were operating and no lookout was stationed in the bow. At the same time, the local fishing vessels CÉU ABERTO and ÉLIA were crossing the traffic channels towards the southern bank, navigating side by side with one person aboard each vessel. Neither fishing vessel was fitted with radar, and none of the three vessels was sounding the prescribed fog signal. At approximately 0920, PATO REAL detected ÉLIA at close range ahead and altered hard to starboard, passing approximately two metres clear. During the manoeuvre, PATO REAL collided with CÉU ABERTO, which sank and placed its sole occupant in the water. The person was rescued by ÉLIA. The ferry’s crew did not detect the collision and learned of it only after berthing at Fontainhas. PATO REAL also made contact with buoy No. 2 while recovering from the avoiding manoeuvre
Safety recommendations
SR 282-2014.1: Assess developing a procedure requiring all Masters to adopt safe speeds during transit in the River Sado appropriate to the prevailing visibility, even when this may prevent strict compliance with published timetables. No response status is recorded in the report. SR 282-2014.2: Assess developing a procedure ensuring that an effective lookout is maintained at all times aboard the company’s vessels during transit in the River Sado, irrespective of visibility. No response status is recorded in the report. SR 282-2014.3: Assess implementing radar-operator training for the Masters of the company’s vessels as soon as practicable. No response status is recorded in the report. SR 282-2014.4: Assess reviewing the criteria used to establish minimum safe manning for local fishing vessels so that, in restricted visibility or other particularly adverse conditions, both vessel control and continuous lookout can be maintained in inland waterways and coastal areas. No response status is recorded in the report.
Lessons learned
Safe navigation in restricted visibility requires a speed that permits effective avoiding action and allows the vessel to stop within an appropriate distance. Lookouts should be positioned where blind sectors are minimised, including in the bow when the view from the bridge is obstructed. Radar should be correctly tuned and operated at ranges suitable for detecting small nearby craft. Prescribed fog signals should be sounded, and operational schedules should never take precedence over safe speed. Single-handed small craft should avoid crossing busy channels in dense fog when an effective continuous lookout cannot be maintained.