The Albacora-Cuatro: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant development last week, the Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIM) granted final approval to a comprehensive series of reports, notably one pertaining to the tragic incident involving the fishing vessel 'Albacora Cuatro'. This vessel captured headlines in June 2022 when an ammonia leak resulted in the untimely deaths of two crew members from Galicia, namely Francisco Cameán Santos, aged 35, from Porto do Son, and 27-year-old Ángel Boo Vidal from Ribeira. The commission, operating under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, has identified that the leak was most likely caused by the formation of an oil sludge plug. This phenomenon led the two sailors to mistakenly believe that the ammonia tank was empty. Unfortunately, when they attempted to open the tank lid, ammonia was released, resulting in the fatal accidents. At the time of the incident, the 'Albacora Cuatro' was engaged in fishing operations within the Indian Ocean, but it had to return to port in Victoria, Seychelles due to technical issues. The vessel anchored one mile offshore to facilitate preparations for the upcoming installation of a new shaft section, set to arrive in the same week as the incident. With an inspector from the company overseeing on-site activities, the vessel’s crew of 31 began performing maintenance tasks alongside the dismantling of the damaged shaft. Despite some ongoing operations, both the chief engineer, Ángel Boo, and first officer, Francisco Cameán, who were recognized for their extensive experience—Boo serving as chief engineer for nearly a decade and Cameán for a year and a half—continued to manage essential services during this operational downtime, including the ammonia systems that preserved the brine in the tanks. Investigators revealed that firefighting teams and crew members, who were involved in recovering the bodies, confirmed the leak stemmed from the particle separator inspection cover, which had two of its four bolts already loosened. The report concludes that during the maintenance stoppage, the crew members likely attempted to manage oil accumulation in the area. It is noted that it is surprising experienced personnel like the chief engineer would open the inspection cover without preliminary checks. The investigation suggests that the two crew members may have attempted to vacuum the tank, only to encounter an erroneous vacuum due to the sludge, leading to the release of ammonia when they opened the cover. Furthermore, the report highlights the absence of a safety policy on board, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the crew, and the failure to conduct specific evacuation drills related to ammonia leaks, which may have been crucial in preventing this tragic incident. The report serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safety protocols and training in preventing such catastrophic accidents in the maritime industry.