SW-INC-0202SeaWise Incidents

Off Cabo Verde - A yacht capsized in the Atlantic; a tanker recovered three Lithuanians, one dead

After a satellite SOS, the tanker Ouro do Brasil picked three Lithuanian sailors from the sea — two alive with skin burns, one already dead — when their yacht turned over far offshore.

verified · 1 sourceN
Vessel
Off Cabo VerdeSailing yacht
When
2026North Atlantic
Crew
3 aboard2 survived · 1 lost
Outcome
Rescued
Position is descriptive only — no plotted coordinates for this record.
Position
Atlantic Ocean, off the Cabo Verde islands
Sea area
Atlantic · near Cabo Verde
Summary

What happened.

In late January 2026, a yacht capsized in the Atlantic off the Cabo Verde islands with three Lithuanian sailors aboard, the only people on board. A satellite SOS reached Spain's sea-rescue service, and the tanker Ouro do Brasil recovered the three from the sea: two alive, with skin burns but otherwise apparently well, and one already dead. The survivors were landed at Cabo Verde.

In late January 2026, three Lithuanian sailors were in the open Atlantic, off the Cabo Verde islands, when their yacht capsized — turning over with the three of them, the only people aboard, in the water. A 'Garmin SOS', sent from a satellite messenger, reached the Spanish maritime rescue service's coordination centre in Madrid, which organised the response across this remote stretch of ocean. The nearest suitable vessel, the Liberian-flagged tanker Ouro do Brasil, diverted to the position and recovered the three from the sea: two were alive, with burns to the skin but otherwise in apparent good health, while the third was already dead. The tanker carried the survivors to Cabo Verde. It was a stark reminder that far offshore the difference between a rescue and a tragedy is measured in how fast you can call for help and how long you can survive in the water.

ConditionsLate January 2026; the survivors were landed at Cabo Verde around 31 January–1 February. Three Lithuanian sailors — the only people aboard — were in the sea after their yacht capsized in the Atlantic. Spain's maritime rescue service (Salvamento Marítimo, Madrid) coordinated the response after receiving a 'Garmin SOS' satellite-messenger distress. The Liberian-flagged tanker Ouro do Brasil reached them and recovered two alive, with skin burns but in apparent good health, and a third already dead. The survivors said the yacht had turned over.
SeaWise noteFar out at sea a capsize puts you straight into the water with no boat to climb back onto and no help within reach — and here it cost one of three lives. Two things mattered: a satellite SOS that reached a rescue centre at all, and surviving in the sea long enough for a ship to divert. Carry a registered beacon and a satellite messenger on your body, and treat staying afloat and warm as the emergency it is.
Lessons learned

What it teaches.

  • 1
    Far offshore, a satellite SOS is what summons anyone at all. This capsize was answered only because a satellite messenger sent an SOS that reached a rescue centre. Carry an EPIRB and a satellite messenger or PLB, register them, and keep them on your body — in a capsize you may have seconds to trigger help.
    communications abandon ship
  • 2
    A capsize puts you straight into the sea — survival starts there. Two of the three here lasted in the water until a tanker arrived; one did not. Lifejackets, a way to stay with or on the hull, and protection from cold and exposure decide who is still alive when help finally reaches you hours later.
    abandon ship man overboard
  • 3
    Mid-ocean, your rescuer is whatever ship is nearest. A tanker diverted to pluck these sailors from the water. Keep an EPIRB transmitting and AIS on so the closest vessel can be tasked to your position — far from any coast, it may be your only realistic chance.
    rescue communications
Sources

Where this comes from.

News· South America sailing newsTrazidas para Cabo Verde três pessoas resgatadas em naufrágio de veleiro, uma mortaVisit ↗

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Record IDSW-INC-0202
Curated bySeaWise editorial
Confidenceverified · 1 source
Record typeIncident

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