On September 18, 2018, at 0532 local time, the fishing vessel Capt. M&M grounded on the east jetty of Sabine Pass, an outlet for the Sabine and Neches Rivers into the Gulf of Mexico, while en route to the channel's entrance. The vessel subsequently flooded and capsized. All four crewmembers climbed onto the overturned hull, from where they were rescued uninjured by a local law enforcement boat with US Coast Guard coordination. The vessel later sank at an estimated loss of $100,000. Approximately 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel oil on board were not recovered.

​​The probable cause of the grounding of the fishing vessel Capt. M&M was the failure of the wheelhouse watchstander to keep a proper navigation watch. Contributing to the sinking was a modification to the watertight collision bulkhead that allowed progressive flooding.

​​Proper Navigation

The safety of a vessel under way depends on awareness of the vessel's position and adherence to a voyage plan. Good seamanship requires correlating information from all means of navigation, including satellite, radar, and visual aids to navigation. Fishing vessel masters should ensure crewmembers navigating the vessel are familiar with electronic charting systems.

Watertight Subdivision

Collision bulkheads — the first transverse watertight bulkhead aft of a vessel's stem - are designed to prevent progressive flooding when the bow is compromised in a collision. Cutting holes in these bulkheads for ease of access to adjacent spaces defeats the designed intent of the bulkhead. Vessel owners, operators, and crews ​should ensure the integrity of their vessels' watertight subdivision is maintained.