RABUGENTO - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: RABUGENTO
GAMA reference: 2018-199
Data da ocorrência acidental: 08-10-2018
Circulated on: 03-06-2019
Published on: 01-07-2019
Casualty Event: Fire
Summary
On 8 October 2018, a fire broke out in the engine room of RABUGENTO during a fishing voyage off Terceira Island. The crew could not control the fire and abandoned into the liferaft without lifejackets or transmitting a distress alert. The liferaft remained close to the burning vessel and was damaged by the heat after the Master returned aboard. The vessel subsequently flooded and sank. One crew member survived approximately 16 hours in the water before reaching shore and raising the alarm. The Master’s body was later recovered, and the third crew member remained missing at the date of the report.
Safety recommendations
SR 2018-199 A: Assess establishing a procedure to ensure that lifejackets are worn during an emergency or abandonment. No response was received.
SR 2018-199 B: Assess assigning one crew member responsibility for emergency communications and requesting assistance. No response was received.
Lessons learned
During a fire or abandonment emergency, lifejackets should be worn and a distress alert transmitted immediately using the available VHF/DSC, EPIRB and visual signals. A liferaft should be moved clear and upwind of a burning vessel. Emergency duties should be assigned in advance so that distress communications, firefighting and abandonment preparations can be carried out simultaneously.