PRAIA DO BALUARTE - Very Serious Maritime casualty
Vessel: PRAIA DO BALUARTE
GAMA reference: 2015-078
Data da ocorrência acidental: 29-05-2015
Circulated on: 29-10-2015
Published on: 30-11-2015
Casualty Event: Flooding (massive/progressive)
Summary
On 29 May 2015, PRAIA DO BALUARTE departed Setúbal with four crew members for a fishing voyage. At approximately 1300, while returning to port at about 6 knots, the crew noticed that the vessel was settling by the stern. The engine room was already flooded, with the water level reaching the main engine. The vessel had no flooding alarm and the bilge pump did not operate. The crew transferred to the auxiliary boat PELICANO before PRAIA DO BALUARTE sank by the stern at approximately 1310. A subsequent underwater inspection identified two missing bottom planks on the starboard side, close to the keel in the engine-room area. No fatalities, injuries or pollution were reported, but the vessel was a total loss.
Safety recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued.
Lessons learned
Ageing wooden fishing vessels require careful inspection of the bottom planking, caulking and areas close to the keel, particularly around machinery spaces. Effective flooding alarms and operational bilge pumps are essential to detect and control water ingress before buoyancy is lost. Safety-critical pumping and alarm systems should be tested regularly and any defects corrected before sailing.