NOVA ESTRELINHA - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: NOVA ESTRELINHA
GAMA reference: 2020-163
Data da ocorrência acidental: 19-08-2020
Circulated on: 26-05-2022
Published on: 11-07-2022
Casualty Event: Flooding (massive/progressive)
Summary
On 19 August 2020, NOVA ESTRELINHA was proceeding towards the fishing grounds when the tender towline parted and part of the purse seine ran overboard. While the three crew members recovered the net, the engine-room flooding alarm activated. The water ingress could not be identified or controlled, and the main and auxiliary engines stopped. The crew abandoned to the tender before the vessel sank.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2020/163, to DGRM: Assess whether the minimum number of crew members stated in the safe manning certificate should also be sufficient to ensure the safe operation of the vessel at sea, in addition to safe navigation.
Response status: At the date of approval, GAMA had not received a response to the proposed safety recommendation.
Lessons learned
Safe manning should provide sufficient capacity for navigation, fishing operations, machinery monitoring and emergency response. Towing arrangements and fishing gear should be checked and secured before departure. Early flooding detection, accurate position information and prompt abandonment are essential to limit the consequences of an emergency.