Capitania dos Portos notifies nearly 300 vessels and seizes 38 for serious violations on the São Paulo coast

Since December, 2,501 vessels, 54 nautical entities and 14 works have been inspected by the Marinha (Marinha/Divulgação)

The Marinha, through the Capitania dos Portos de São Paulo (CPSP), seized 38 vessels due to serious violations of the Lei de Segurança do Tráfego Aquaviário (Lesta). In addition, notices of irregularities were issued to 293 vessels and eight nautical entities.

The results, obtained in less than two months, are part of a partial balance of Operation Navegue Seguro and were released last week.

The operation began on December 17 and aims to “ensure the safety of navigation, the safeguarding of human life at sea and inland waters, and the prevention of water pollution from vessels,” the Marinha explained.

The actions take place throughout the CPSP area, which includes the entire São Paulo coastline, from Cananeia to Bertioga. Since December, 2,501 vessels, 54 nautical entities and 14 works have been inspected.

The focus is on problems that contribute to nautical accidents. These include the absence of operator licenses, expired or incomplete vessel documentation, lack of mandatory safety equipment (life jackets, buoys and fire extinguishers), overcrowding and inadequate seaworthiness conditions. In addition, the campaign intensified inspections against alcohol consumption by operators.

The main violations observed during the inspections were: not possessing or carrying the required license (42%); navigating in areas reserved for bathers (16%); failing to register or carry the vessel’s documentation (11%); not having mandatory personal injury insurance (9%); operating without the required safety equipment or with incomplete safety gear (8%); and failing to make required markings on the vessel (8%).