MORRO DE SAO PAULO

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102 people rescued after collision

The 'Morro de São Paulo' with 96 passengers and four crew members on board, was in collision with the fishing vessel "Lomier", with two crew members on board, on the early afternoon of July 22, 2025, near Cacha Pregos, approximately nine kilometers from Itaparica Island off the Baía de Todos-os-Santos. The ferry had departed the Morro de São Paulo terminal at 11:30 a.m., bound for Salvador. The usually takes an average of 2 hours and 10 minutes. The semi-land transfer, which includes a ferry, bus, and speedboat crossing, takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. After the collision, the fishing vessel sank, and the catamaran developed an increasing list to starboard side, and the passengers were equipped with life jackets and gathered on the port side. There were no injuries reported. After the collision, a joint rescue operation was immediately initiated with the support of the operator Biotur, owner of the catamaran, and ASTRAMAB itself. The tugs "Piatã" and "Pituba" were the first to arrive on scene. Some of the passengers were transported to the Port of Salvador by the "Pituba" where they arrived at 4:45 p.m. The catamaran "Viva Morro", speedboats, and other vessels continued to assist the victims. Also private vessels also participated in the transport back to port. The Brazilian Navy, through the 2nd Naval District Command and the Bahia Port Authority, as well as Salvamento Marítimo do Leste, the Military Fire Department, the Military Police Air Group (GRAER), Pilotage, SAMU also provided assistance, involving the patrol vessels "Dourado," and "Guaratuba" and the corvette "Caboclo" of the Eastern Naval Patrol Group Command. Once in Salvador, passengers disembarked at the Port Maritime Terminal and were welcomed by Biotur teams. At least six ships participated in the rescue. Five ambulances from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) were dispatched to the Salvador Nautical Terminal to assist passengers arriving in the capital. Assistance included transportation to hotels, the Salvador Airport, and support for other needs. A child and a pregnant woman were taken for treatment as a precaution. The Bahia State Docks Company (CODEBA) also supported the operation. The rescued fishermen were taken to Caixa Pregos with support from the Brazilian Navy. The half submerged catamaran was taken to Morro de São Paulo. The cause of the accident was under investigation. The servoce between Salvador and Morro de São Paulo was operating normally again on July 23 with departures from the Bahian capital continue at their regular times, at 9:00 a.m and 10:30 a.m. In the opposite direction, from the Morro de São Paulo Terminal to Salvador, the times remained at 11:30 a.m and 2:00 p.m.. Reports with photo and video: https://www.correio24horas.com.br/minha-bahia/acidente-entre-barcos-deixa-passageiros-a-deriva-em-morro-de-sao-paulo-0725 https://g1.globo.com/ba/bahia/noticia/2025/07/22/embarcacoes-na-bahia.ghtml https://www.radiotombafmparatinga.com.br/news-catamara-fica-a-deriva-apos-colisao-com-barco-na-baia-de-todosossantos https://portalbaixosul.com.br/noticia/2778/astramab-divulga-nota-sobre-acidente-entre-catamara-e-barco-de-pesca-na-baia-de-todos-os-santos https://www.portalnoticiasba.com.br/2025/07/colisao-entre-catamara-e-barco-na-baia.html?m=1 https://takta.com.br/ultimas-noticias/catamara-bate-em-pesqueiro-e-deixa-passageiros-a-deriva/