On August 18, 2014, the 132-meter-long ro-ro cargo ferry Amadeo I ran aground at Paso Kirke, Chile. Cause: helmsman error. The ferry departed from Puerto Natales with 17 passengers and 28 crew, along with a cargo of 700 cattle bound for Puerto Montt. Around 10 am, after the helmsman inadvertently put the rudder on the wrong side, the Amadeo I struck an islet at Merion, resulting in a crack in the hull on the starboard side. The rupture caused substantial uncontrolled flooding into the cargo deck and engine room, putting the vessel at risk of sinking. The master of the vessel decided to run the vessel aground before it could sink. The Amadeo I reached shore and put the bow on the beach. Authorities arrived on the scene with rescue boats and safely transferred 17 passengers and 18 crew. Ten crew remained on board, attempting to bring the flooding under control. Unfortunately, the flooding continued, and the Amadeo I heeled over 60 degrees onto her starboard side. By 5 am the following day, the crew had to abandon their efforts and were taken off the ferry. The ferry later capsized onto her side, and the stern section of the vessel sank.
