Federal prosecutors open investigation into ship–ferry collision at Port of Santos

Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) has launched an investigation on the collision between two ferries and the container ship Seaspan Empire at the Port of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo state. Four crew members jumped into the water during the incident, but no injuries were reported.

The nearly 50-meter-tall vessel struck the ferries FB-15 and FB-14 on Monday night (16) as it was leaving the navigation channel toward the anchorage area due to a lack of available berths.

The São Paulo Port Captaincy, part of the Brazilian Navy, has already opened an Administrative Inquiry into Navigation Accidents and Incidents to determine the causes of the collision and identify those responsible.

Separately, federal prosecutors ordered a civil administrative review to assess additional aspects of the case. The order, signed by federal prosecutor Thiago Lacerda Nobre, was forwarded Friday (20) to the legal division of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Santos.

In the document, the prosecutor emphasized the need to examine issues related to navigational safety in a federally administered port area, the proper operation of the ferry service and any potential damage to federal assets or interests.

The MPF may request information from the Brazilian Navy, the Santos Port Authority (APS), the local pilotage service, the company operating the ferries and the vessel’s owner.

The investigation will seek to clarify the circumstances of the accident, including:

• The technical factors behind the collision and any operational failures affecting navigation safety in the port access channel;
• Whether authorities responsible for managing and overseeing the port area acted appropriately;
• The impact on the continuity and safety of the ferry service;
• Possible damage to public assets and whether civil liability applies.

Vessel Details

Built in 2010, the Seaspan Empire sails under the Singapore flag and has a gross tonnage of approximately 67,000 metric tons. The vessel measures about 294 meters (965 feet) in overall length.

According to the pilotage service, the ship was carrying roughly 3,000 containers at the time of the collision. The contents of the cargo have not been disclosed.

The vessel docked at DP World’s terminal around 3 a.m. Tuesday (17) and departed the port at approximately the same time Wednesday (18), after completing discharge operations.

The Incident

According to São Paulo state’s Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics, ferry FB-15 was towing FB-14 toward Guarujá when the collision occurred.

On board FB-15 were the captain and three crew members, all unharmed. The ferries were not carrying passengers at the time.

Authorities said the crew members jumped into the water and swam safely to shore. Video footage shows bystanders assisting in the rescue by throwing life jackets and flotation devices, pulling the crew from the water and, in some cases, entering the sea to help.

The pilotage service dispatched support boats to the scene, and all four crew members were recovered without injuries.

The investigations by both the Navy and federal prosecutors are ongoing.

Fonte: G1

Sharing is caring!