Avaria de motor: o que fazer quando fica sem propulsão

Última verificação: 14 de outubro de 2026

Passo a passo

1. Coletes vestidos, depois avalie

   Ponha toda a gente de colete salva-vidas. Depois veja para onde o vento e a corrente o estão a levar, e a que distância estão a costa, as rochas ou o tráfego marítimo.[1][2][3]

2. Fundeie

   Se não conseguir voltar a pôr o motor a trabalhar e a profundidade o permitir, fundeie pela proa para manter a posição. Como regra, largue de cinco a sete vezes a profundidade em cabo.[4][5][6]

3. Confirme que a âncora está a unhar

   Observe pontos fixos em terra ou a sua posição GPS. Com vento ou corrente fortes a âncora pode garrar e deixar o barco derivar ou encalhar.[7][8]

4. Demasiado fundo ou mar demasiado forte? Use uma âncora flutuante

   Se não conseguir fundear, largue uma âncora flutuante pela proa para manter o barco aproado às ondas. Em emergência, um balde pode servir.[9]

5. Chame cedo com um PAN-PAN

   Se, para já, estiver em segurança, envie um PAN-PAN no canal 16 de VHF. Avisar cedo dá tempo às equipas de salvamento e pode ser decisivo para um bom desfecho.[4][10][11][12]

6. Passe a MAYDAY se o perigo se tornar grave

   Se o barco estiver prestes a ser atirado contra as rochas ou alagado, ou se a vida de alguém estiver em risco, carregue no botão de socorro DSC e faça uma chamada MAYDAY no canal 16.[13][14][15][16]

7. Verifique as causas simples

   Se for seguro, verifique o básico, como o combustível. Ficar sem combustível é uma das razões mais comuns pelas quais quem navega pede ajuda.[17][18]

8. Faça-se ver

   Se precisar de ajuda e não tiver rádio, use sinais de socorro: levante e baixe repetidamente os braços estendidos, faça um sinal sonoro contínuo ou dispare very-lights quando alguém os puder ver.[19][20][21]

9. Continue à escuta

   Mantenha o rádio no canal 16, aguarde resposta e siga as instruções das equipas de salvamento.[22][23]

O que não fazer

• Não fundeie pela popa. O barco pode ser alagado.[24]
• Não espere estar na rebentação para chamar. Comunique cedo um problema que se está a agravar com um PAN-PAN.[11]
• Não dispare very-lights quando ninguém os puder ver. Guarde-os para quando houver hipótese de serem vistos.[21]
• Não use o canal 16 para conversar nem para testes de rádio. É para socorro, urgência e chamada.[25][26]

Antes de largar

• Antes de largar: verifique o motor, os níveis, o combustível e o porão, e use a regra do terço para o combustível (ida, volta, reserva).[27][28]
• Leve uma âncora com cabo suficiente para as profundidades onde navega. Num barco pequeno, pagaias ou remos são outra forma de se deslocar.[5][29]
• Diga a alguém em terra para onde vai e quando volta.[30]
• Leve um rádio VHF, de preferência com DSC, e saiba fazer chamadas PAN-PAN e MAYDAY.[31][32]

Perguntas frequentes

Fontes

As fontes são citadas na língua original.

1. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “have everyone onboard put on their lifejacket”
2. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “Make sure everyone on board is wearing their life jacket.”
3. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “assess the situation”
4. Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “If you are unable to restart your vessel’s motor: Drop anchor to hold your position. Use your marine radio to make a Pan Pan call.”
5. Transport Canada – Small Commercial Vessel Safety Guide (TP 14070) (2026-10-14): “Your vessel must have a way to control drifting in case you lose your engine. This can be an anchor with a length of rope, chain or cable, or any combination of these, that suits the size of the vessel.”
6. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “The general rule is five to seven times as much line as the depth of water plus the distance from the surface of the water to where the anchor will attach to the bow.”
7. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “It’s important to have the right anchor and cable for your boat. If you don’t, strong winds and water can cause the anchor to drag and let your boat drift or run aground.”
8. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Make sure your boat is well anchored and watch for signs of anchor dragging.”
9. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “If the engine fails, trail a sea anchor from the bow of the boat to keep it headed into the waves (a bucket can work as a sea anchor in an emergency).”
10. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Lost power, are safe but drifting towards an active shipping lane”
11. Transport Canada – Small Commercial Vessel Safety Guide (TP 14070) (2026-10-14): “It is strongly recommended you report any situation that may present a danger to life, without delay. Early notification can be crucial to a positive outcome. You can use the PAN PAN radio signal for this purpose.”
12. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HM Coastguard) (2026-10-14): “If you are concerned about the safety of a person or vessel, you can send an urgency announcement using a DSC All Ships Urgency Call, nominating a working channel. Tune to Channel 16 to make the urgency call:”
13. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HM Coastguard) (2026-10-14): “Only to be used in the event of grave and imminent danger and assistance is required. Send a distress alert using digital selective calling (DSC), (press and hold the button until the alert is sent).”
14. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HM Coastguard) (2026-10-14): “On receipt of a DSC acknowledgement or after about 15 seconds, transmit the distress call and message on Channel 16:”
15. Transport Canada – Small Commercial Vessel Safety Guide (TP 14070) (2026-10-14): “MAYDAY indicates a person or vessel is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate help. PAN PAN indicates a safety problem that does not require immediate assistance.”
16. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “If your boat is sinking, someone is injured or life is in danger, immediately call VHF Channel 16 (the international maritime distress channel)”
17. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Motor problems, like running out of fuel, often lead to distress calls from boaters.”
18. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Check the gauges and fuel levels regularly.”
19. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Keep raising and lowering outstretched arms.”
20. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Make continuous sound with any fog-signalling device.”
21. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Only use flares in an emergency when you believe there’s a chance it will be seen.”
22. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Monitor VHF channel 16 and local channels/the harbour master channel.”
23. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Release the PTT button and await a response.”
24. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “Warning: Do not anchor from the stern as this could swamp the boat.”
25. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “Channel 16 is the primary VHF-FM marine radio calling and distress channel. It should not be used for general conversation or radio checks.”
26. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “VHF radio channel 16 is only used for emergency and calling purposes.”
27. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Check your engine, fluid levels and bilge.”
28. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “Practice the “One-Third Rule” by using: One-third of the fuel to go out. One-third to get back. One-third held in reserve.”
29. Transport Canada – Small Commercial Vessel Safety Guide (TP 14070) (2026-10-14): “If your vessel is not more than 9 metres long, you may carry a paddle or two oars and rowlocks or any other device that can be used to propel the vessel manually instead of the anchor.”
30. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Plan your passage, and tell someone ashore where you're going and how long you'll be gone.”
31. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Have a means of calling for help, like a handheld VHF or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.”
32. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “If your VHF radio has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on channel 70, press the button to send a digital distress call.”
33. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “If a boater contacts the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16 VHF-FM or Digital Select Calling Channel 70 and the situation is determined to be non-distress, the Coast Guard will offer to contact any assistance provider (commercial or friend) the boater requests.”
34. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “For non-urgent assistance such as an electrical problem or mechanical issue, call our Operations Centre”

Mais guias de emergência

Números de socorro por país → Como fazer uma chamada MAYDAY → Cartão de emergência para imprimir →