Tourist boat sinks due to rough seas in Fernando de Noronha | Living Noronha

Fernando de Noronha recorded heavy rain and a lot of wind in the last 24 hours. The island received a swell, a natural phenomenon that causes rough seas. With these weather conditions, the tourist boat called Celebration sank in the early hours of this Monday (1st), in the Port of Santo Antônio region. There were no casualties in the sinking.

Fisherman Francisco Júnior helped to rescue the material from the vessel. “It was very stormy, strong wind, many boats were hitting each other. We formed a task force and rescued the material that was floating. Thank God there were no problems with any human being, only material goods were lost”, said the fisherman.

The vessel is a catamaran type and has the capacity to transport 40 people. The representative of the company that owns the boat, Bruno Costa, said he does not know why the Celebration sank.

“We know for sure why the boat sank, I believe that a lot of water entered due to the rain. We still don’t know if it will be possible to rescue the catamaran,” said Bruno.

The company representative also said that the boat was recently acquired and that it was not operating with tourist tours because they were in the maintenance phase.

The owner of another tourist vessel, Jaime Andrade, said it was necessary to monitor the sea to avoid damage.

“We spent the morning monitoring the boats. The wind condition is not favorable and can throw the boats onto the rocks, so we stayed in Porto to observe”, declared Jaime.

At the Port of Antônio, boat, Hawaiian canoe and water bike rides were suspended due to sea conditions. Cargo ships followed the unloading operations and scuba diving also took place.

The Administration of Fernando de Noronha informed, in a note, that “it is monitoring the movement of the sea this Monday (1st) and that, for now, it does not see the need to close the Port”, indicated the note.

O swell made waves of more than two meters high possible. Fisheries engineer, Geraldo Barreira, revealed that this swell It is of large proportions, but the wind that comes from the sea to land, called maral, which harmed the formation of the waves.

“The wind held the wind a little swell. MEven so, the tendency is for the waves to grow. I believe that the month of April will still have rough seas”, predicted Geraldo.

Underwater photographer and surfer, Marcelo Freire, said despite the swell be big, the conditions are not good.

“The conditions are bad, there is a north, northeast, northwest wind, rotating, the conditions are not complicated. This wave season was not good”, said Marcelo.

The Pernambuco Water and Climate Agency (Apac) reported that rainfall in 24 hours in Fernando de Noronha was 34 millimeters.

The forecast for this Monday (1st) is cloudy to cloudy weather with moderate rain showers.