FÚRIA DA PESCA - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: FÚRIA DA PESCA
GAMA reference: 2014-070
Data da ocorrência acidental: 06-03-2014
Circulated on: 10-08-2015
Published on: 15-09-2015
Casualty Event: Grounding
Summary
On 6 March 2014, FÚRIA DA PESCA departed Sines fishing harbour at night with eight crew members for a coastal fishing voyage. The Master was alone in the wheelhouse and steering manually because the vessel was not fitted with an autopilot. While the vessel was still between the harbour breakwaters, the operating GPS switched off. The Master switched on the wheelhouse lights, restarted the GPS and began entering navigational data while continuing to steer manually. The vessel altered approximately 70 to 80 degrees to starboard without the Master noticing and grounded on the rocks of the fishing breakwater. Attempts to refloat the vessel aggravated the hull damage. After assistance from passing fishing vessels, FÚRIA DA PESCA was pulled clear, flooded rapidly and sank. No fatalities were reported, and the vessel was a total loss
Safety recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued.
Lessons learned
An effective lookout should be maintained during harbour departures, particularly at night and when the vessel is manually steered. Navigational equipment should not be programmed by the sole person steering while the vessel is in a confined or critical area. Wheelhouse lighting should be managed to preserve night vision, and refloating attempts should consider the hull condition, tide and risk of worsening existing damage.