On 26 September 2019, the Luxembourg‑registered vessel Bourbon Rhode with 14 persons on board sank in the Atlantic Ocean during a transit voyage from Las Palmas to Guyana near the position 16°05.3’ N / 039°43.9’ W (approximately 1600 km west of Cape Verde). Three survivors and the bodies of four deceased crew members were recovered during the search and rescue operations. Seven crew members are reported missing. In accordance with prevailing provisions, the Administration of Technical Investigations (AET) opened a safety investigation after having been informed of the loss of the Bourbon Rhode in the evening of 28 September 2019.
The ongoing investigation highlighted a safety issue that required an immediate safety action. On 19 August 2020, the AET issued a safety recommendation (PDF) to the Luxembourg Maritime Administration. At the same time, a safety bulletin (PDF) on the identified issue has been published and disseminated to other interested parties and maritime stakeholders.
A final report should be published within twelve month of the date of the casualty. Due to the complexity of the investigation and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the AET published an interim report (PDF) on 15 April 2021.
The safety investigation will be concluded with the publication of a final report.