Environmental causes of navigation accidents in the Guaíba River waterway

Scottá, Fernando Comerlato; Michelon, Cassiano Ribeiro; Puhl, Eduardo; Manica, Rafael; Toldo Júnior, Elírio Ernestino; Fick, Cristiano; Lenhard, Juliane Coelho; Silva, Tatiana Silva da; Nunes, José Carlos Rodrigues

doi:10.1590/2318-0331.302520250035

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Scientific/Technical Article • RBRH 30 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2318-0331.302520250035 linkcopy

Environmental causes of navigation accidents in the Guaíba River waterway

Causas ambientais de acidentes de navegação na hidrovia do Rio Guaíba

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the possible causes of accidents on the Guaíba River waterway between 2007 and 2023, using historical reports, numerical modeling, and assessments of critical meteorological and hydrodynamic conditions. Data on wind, visibility, water levels, and flow rates were examined both analytically and graphically. A numerical model simulated the river’s hydrodynamics, identifying key parameters affecting navigation safety. The analysis revealed that various environmental forces such as fog, currents, waves, and wind significantly contributed to accidents, often acting in combination. All recorded accidents were groundings, and the Pedras Brancas Channel as the most critical grounding hotspot along the waterway. Wind speeds above 7 m/s, current speeds above 0.5 m/s, water levels below 40 cm, and wave heights exceeding 20 cm form the set of critical values for navigation safety. These technical insights enable Port Authorities to enhance navigational safety through data-driven interpretations and operational decisions.

Keywords:
Grounding; Numerical modeling; Environmental variables; River hydrodynamics; Navigation safety; Environmental risk

Grounding	Numerical Simulation		Grounding Date	Location	Reported Cause
Grounding	Start Date	End Date	Grounding Date	Location	Reported Cause
1	14/09/2007	13/10/2007	08/10/2007	Canal Pedras Brancas (ZS)	Mechanical Failure
2	26/05/2008	24/06/2008	18/06/2008	Canal Pedras Brancas (ZS)	Navigation Error/Fog
3	19/07/2011	17/08/2011	12/08/2011	Cais Navegantes	Current
4	07/08/2013	05/09/2013	31/08/2013	Canal do Cristal (PMB)	Mechanical Failure
5	02/08/2015	31/08/2015	26/08/2015	Farol de Itapuã	Navigation Error
6	27/09/2016	26/10/2016	22/10/2016	Canal do Leitão (ZS)	Navigation Error
7	29/12/2020	27/01/2021	22/01/2021	Cais Mauá	Evasive Maneuver outside the channel
8	27/12/2021	25/01/2022	20/01/2022	Canal Pedras Brancas (ZS)	Maneuver in low water level/Fog
9	25/05/2023	23/06/2023	15/06/2023	Ilha do Junco (Itapuã)	Cyclone Passage and Mechanical Failure

Cases	Min. Horizontal Visibility (m)	Wind Speed (m/s)	Water Level (m)	Current Speed (m/s)	Wave Heights (m)	Flow Average Rate (m³/s)	Location	Environment influence
1	3,000	5	1.2	0.15	0.05	1,563	Canal das Pedras Brancas	Fog
2	800	2.5	0.8	0.1	0.05	1,032	Canal das Pedras Brancas	Fog
3	-	3	2	0.6	0.02	5,052	Cais Navegantes	Current Speed
4	3,900	1.5	1.6	0.6	0.05	4,367	Canal do Cristal	Current Speed
5	3,000	3	0.8	0.3	0.1	3,303	Farol de Itapuã	No environment influence
6	-	9.5	1.6	0.5	0.2	7,089	Canal do Leitão	Wind, Level and Current
7	-	7	0.4	0.2	0.05	313	Cais Mauá	No environment Influence
8	-	5	0.16	0.15	0.1	196	Canal das Pedras Brancas	Water Level
9	-	10.75	1.35	0.5	0.3	7,101	Ilha do Junco	Wind, Level and Current

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