At 10.30 hours on 16 Feb, 1942, the Rafaela was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-67 while lying at anchor about 1 mile off Curaçao. The ship had been missed by a spread of two torpedoes at 09.52 hours and another torpedo at 10.11 hours. Also a coup de grâce fired at 10.52 hours did not hit and Müller-Stöckheim decided that the target was not worth another torpedo because the tanker was already badly damaged.
The same day, the Rafaela was towed into the St. Anna Bay by the tugs Parmo and Mico, but later broke in two and sank to the ground. She was raised, repaired and returned to service after about four months.