Key Facts
- ✓ The Brazilian Navy has intensified search operations for the fishing vessel 'Funelli' and its six crew members missing off the coast of Maricá since January 15th.
- ✓ The vessel, which departed from Niterói in early January, lost all communication and tracking signals near Ponta Negra while expected to be returning to base.
- ✓ The search operation utilizes the SC-105 Amazonas aircraft and naval patrol ships, including the Gurupi, to cover the last known location.
- ✓ The crew is led by Master Nilton de Jesus Silva, 66, who has over 40 years of experience at sea.
- ✓ An administrative inquiry (IAFN) has been launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
- ✓ Maritime safety warnings have been issued to other vessels in the region to assist in the search efforts.
Quick Summary
The Brazilian Navy has significantly escalated search and rescue efforts for a fishing vessel and its crew that have been missing in the waters off Maricá for five days. The operation, which began intensifying on Tuesday, mobilizes both naval assets and aerial resources to cover a vast area of the Atlantic.
The Funelli fishing boat, carrying six crew members, was last tracked near Ponta Negra on Thursday, January 15th. Despite extensive efforts, there has been no contact with the vessel since it lost its tracking signal.
Escalated Search Operations
Naval authorities have deployed a multi-layered approach to locate the missing vessel. The operation focuses on the area where the boat's last known signal was received, utilizing both surface and air assets to maximize the chances of discovery.
The Comando do 1º Distrito Naval is coordinating the effort, which includes the deployment of the SC-105 Amazonas aircraft. This specialized aircraft was dispatched specifically to reinforce the search efforts over the weekend, aiming to expand the aerial coverage over the designated search zone.
In addition to air support, naval patrol ships are actively scouring the waters. The Gurupi is among the vessels mobilized for the maritime component of the operation. The combined resources are designed to cover the coordinates of the boat's last recorded location.
To assist in the operation, maritime safety warnings have been issued to other vessels transiting the region. These alerts request that passing ships provide any support or information that could aid in locating the missing fishermen.
The Missing Crew
The Funelli was carrying six crew members when it disappeared. The group is led by Nilton de Jesus Silva, the 66-year-old master of the vessel. He brings over four decades of experience navigating open waters to the crew.
The other identified crew members on board are:
- Raimundo Nonato Costa dos Santos Filho
- Sirlenildo da Silva
- Raimundo Nonato do Nascimento
- Juarez Serejo da Silva
A sixth crew member has been identified by family members simply as Raimundo. Families of the missing men are anxiously following the developments, pleading for any information that might help locate their loved ones.
Vessel Timeline
The timeline of events indicates a sudden loss of contact. The Funelli departed from Niterói in the early days of January for a fishing expedition. The vessel was expected to return to its home base around the time communication ceased.
According to naval reports, the boat stopped emitting communication and tracking signals on Thursday, January 15th. At the time of the signal loss, the vessel was located in the region of Ponta Negra. It was scheduled to be returning to base, but never arrived.
The five-day gap between the last signal and the current intensified search highlights the challenging conditions facing the rescue teams. The search area is subject to the dynamic conditions of the open sea.
Official Investigation
Beyond the immediate search and rescue mission, the Navy has initiated a formal process to understand the incident. An administrative inquiry is being prepared to analyze the events leading to the disappearance.
The Inquérito Administrativo sobre Acidentes e Fatos da Navegação (IAFN) will be established to investigate the specific circumstances of the disappearance. This inquiry aims to determine potential causes and assess any possible responsibilities regarding the incident.
Authorities are urging the public to assist in the operation. Information can be relayed through emergency channels, specifically the maritime service number 185 or directly to the Comando do 1º Distrito Naval.
Looking Ahead
The search for the Funelli and its crew remains the top priority for the Brazilian Navy in the region. With the deployment of the SC-105 Amazonas and naval patrol vessels, authorities are hoping to expand the search radius effectively.
As the operation continues, the focus remains on locating the vessel or any traces of the crew. The families await news, while the naval inquiry will eventually provide a clearer picture of the events that transpired in the waters off Maricá.
