On May 13, 2023, just after midnight, the fishing vessel Val Dva ran aground on the islet Sestrica Mala while returning to the port of Šibenik after a full day of fishing. Following an attempt to free itself and continue sailing after the impact, the vessel sank shortly after on the eastern coast of the islet due to flooding caused by damage to the bow. The three crew members abandoned the vessel, swam to the shore of Sestrica Mala, and were subsequently rescued by the search and rescue service. No injuries or marine pollution were reported.
On May 21, 2023, the vessel was removed from the accident site and was officially deregistered from the Ship Registry on June 26, 2024.
Causes of the Incident
The primary cause of the grounding was a combination of operating the vessel on autopilot without continuous lookout and failure to take precautionary measures. This was most likely due to a lack of concentration and/or fatigue of the individual operating the vessel.
The sinking was primarily caused by an attempt to free the vessel independently despite sustaining critical damage, without prior expert assessment of the vessel’s condition and seaworthiness.
Contributing Factors
Crew Shortage: The vessel did not have the minimum required number of skilled crew members, affecting continuous watchkeeping and safe navigation.
Fatigue—either acute or accumulated—due to extended sailing periods likely played a significant role in the accident.
Safety Culture Deficiencies: The investigation highlights a lack of adherence to safety standards and best practices in ship management and operation, which contributed cumulatively to the outcome of the marine accident.
✓ AIN05-SL-6/2024
Ukrcaj nužnog i dovoljnog broja stručne posade i organizacija radnog vremena s vremenom odmora
Agencija za istraživanje nesreća u zračnom, željezničkom i pomorskom prometu ističe kako je ukrcaj najmanjeg propisanog broja članova posade s odgovarajućim svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti i dopunskoj osposobljenosti jedan od bitnih uvjeta kojima brod mora udovoljavati kako bi bio sposoban i siguran za plovidbu.
Formalno prijavljena osposobljena posada mora se i stvarno nalaziti na brodu, čime se, pored poštivanja propisa, osigurava i nužna razina sigurnosti upravljanja brodom i sigurnost posade, te sprječavaju rizici nastanka pomorske nesreće.
U cilju pravilnog i sigurnog obavljanja poslova na brodu i održavanja straže, kompanija odnosno brodar dužan je na brod ukrcati dovoljan broj stručne i zdravstveno sposobne posade vodeći računa o organizaciji radnog vremena kako bi se osigurao dostatan odmor i spriječio umor članova posade. Najveći dopušteni broj sati rada pomorca (zapovjednika, časnika i drugih članova posade) ne smije biti veći od 14 sati dnevno. Pomorcu se mora osigurati najmanje 10 sati odmora u razdoblju bilo kojih 24 sata i 77 sati odmora u razdoblju od bilo kojih sedam dana.
Adresati: Ova sigurnosna pouka namijenjena je brodovlasnicima, brodarima, kompanijama, pomorcima.
✓ AIN05-SL-5/2024
Response Procedures in Case of a Marine Accident
In the event of an accident, it is essential to act promptly to prevent and limit further dangers to human lives, property, and the marine environment. Therefore, the following response measures are recommended:
Immediately request assistance from search and rescue services by calling the free emergency number 195, which connects to the National Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Rijeka).
Alternatively, assistance can be requested via coastal radio stations operated by Plovput on VHF Channel 16 or VHF DSC 70. Calls for help can also be made through the European emergency number 112, which will connect the caller to MRCC Rijeka.
Essential Information to Provide When Reporting an Accident:
Location of the marine accident
Type of incident (collision, grounding, fire, etc.)
Identification details of the vessel in distress (name, call sign)
Number of people onboard
Presence and severity of injuries
Additional Recommendations:
Follow the instructions given by search and rescue operators until help arrives.
In case of grounding, do not continue sailing without a professional assessment of the vessel’s damage and seaworthiness, as well as approval from the competent authorities
If abandoning ship, use personal lifesaving equipment.
Recipients: This safety advisory is intended for all participants in marine transport.