Classification
- Incident Type: Collision
- Severity: Medium
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | CMA CGM Laperouse |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | France [FR] |
| IMO Number | 9454412 |
| Gross Tonnage | 152991 |
| LOA (m) | 365.50 |
| Breadth (m) | 51.20 |
| Bollard Pull (t) | |
| Power (kW) | |
| Owner/Operator | CMA CGM |
| TEU | 13344 |
| Year Built | 2010 |
| Crew Size | 27 |
| Other Vessel | Thebe, river-sea coaster; IMO 9199696; Antigua & Barbuda [AG]; 89.70 m LOA; 11.65 m breadth; 1,846 GT; 7 crew |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2010-12-23 |
| Location | Off Vlieland traffic separation scheme, North Sea |
| Coordinates | 53.488333, 4.746667 |
| Region | North Sea |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage | EUR 720,000 |
| Insured Loss | |
| Salvage/Cleanup Cost |
The official report records hull damage to both vessels, which remained manoeuvrable. Contemporary Dutch Coast Guard reporting described water ingress in Thebe's steering-machinery room, controlled by closing watertight compartments. CMA CGM reported minor water ingress in a forward compartment and damage to Laperouse's stern; no pollution, container loss, or loss of stability was reported. A secondary repair report assessed Laperouse's repair damage at EUR 720,000.
The reviewed reports do not separately enumerate fatalities or missing persons. BEAmer describes Thebe as sailing from Terneuzen to Hamburg; the contemporary Dutch Coast Guard report gives Mongstad, Norway, as the destination.
Key facts
- At 18:22:15 UTC+1, the bow of CMA CGM Laperouse struck Thebe's stern; the turning stern then made a second contact.
- BEAmer reported no injuries and no pollution. Both vessels remained manoeuvrable after the collision.
- Thebe sustained damage in the steering-machinery area and water ingress that was controlled by closing watertight compartments.
- Thebe proceeded to Den Helder, while CMA CGM Laperouse continued to Hamburg and was later repaired there.
- BEAmer attributed the collision to human factors, including a late decision by the Laperouse officer of the watch and the absence of a last-minute manoeuvre by Thebe.
Narrative
On 23 December 2010, CMA CGM Laperouse departed Le Havre for Hamburg. In the afternoon it was proceeding northeast in the Off Vlieland traffic separation scheme at about 22 knots while overtaking two vessels, including the river-sea coaster Thebe, which was in ballast. BEAmer describes Thebe's voyage as Terneuzen to Hamburg, while a contemporary Dutch Coast Guard report gives Mongstad, Norway, as the destination. Thebe had seven crew members; the Laperouse had 27.
At 18:18 UTC+1, after considering the traffic and wind, the Laperouse officer of the watch decided to overtake Thebe on its port side. The large container ship came slowly onto the new heading. At 18:22:15, its bow struck the stern of Thebe. As the Laperouse continued to swing, its stern made a second contact with Thebe. The report places the collision at 53°29.3'N, 004°44.8'E. Thebe called on VHF and sent a MAYDAY; Den Helder MRCC initiated the response. After assessing the damage, Thebe proceeded to Den Helder at 19:12, while Laperouse continued to Hamburg with MRCC agreement. The official report states that there were no injuries or pollution and that both vessels remained manoeuvrable.
BEAmer found no contributing material defect. It identified a late decision caused by a misjudgement by the Laperouse officer of the watch as the causal factor, and also noted that Thebe did not attempt a last-minute manoeuvre. The absence of a helmsman on the Laperouse bridge was not neutral to the event. Mer et Marine reported that Laperouse underwent nearly three weeks of repairs in Hamburg, including replacement of about 30 tonnes of steel, with damage assessed at EUR 720,000. No comparable public amount was identified for Thebe.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010-12-23 01:30 UTC+1 | CMA CGM Laperouse departed Le Havre for Hamburg. |
| 2010-12-23 16:00 UTC+1 | The officer of the watch took over the bridge; a cadet later joined him. |
| 2010-12-23 18:00 UTC+1 | Laperouse was in the northeastbound Off Vlieland lane at about 22 knots, with Thebe ahead. |
| 2010-12-23 18:18 UTC+1 | The officer of the watch decided to overtake Thebe on the port side. |
| 2010-12-23 18:22:15 UTC+1 | Laperouse's bow struck Thebe's stern; a second contact followed as Laperouse swung. |
| 2010-12-23 18:24:44 UTC+1 | Thebe sent a MAYDAY; Den Helder MRCC responded at 18:25:13. |
| 2010-12-23 19:12 UTC+1 | Thebe proceeded to Den Helder and Laperouse continued toward Hamburg. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Late overtaking decision | Confirmed finding | BEAmer found that a misjudgement by the Laperouse officer of the watch delayed the decision to manoeuvre. |
| No last-minute manoeuvre by Thebe | Confirmed finding | BEAmer noted that Thebe did not attempt a last-minute manoeuvre or make a precautionary VHF call before the collision. |
| Bridge watch arrangement | Confirmed finding | BEAmer stated that the absence of a helmsman on the Laperouse bridge was not neutral to the event. |
| Heavy weather affecting Thebe | Confirmed finding | The report assessed the north-northeasterly force 8-9 wind and heavy sea as borderline for Thebe's manoeuvrability. |
Investigation
BEAmer conducted a technical investigation for safety-prevention purposes rather than to assign criminal or civil liability. Its report found that the collision was attributable to human factors: the Laperouse officer of the watch made a late decision after misjudging the situation, and Thebe did not attempt a last-minute manoeuvre. BEAmer reported no material factor directly contributing to the accident and recommended improvements to officer familiarisation and consideration of river-sea vessel manning and construction.
References
- BEAmer technical investigation report, CMA CGM Laperouse and Thebe
- French Ministry documentary record for the BEAmer report
- Dutch Coast Guard report via ANP/RD
- Wilson AS vessel particulars for Thebe
- Mer et Marine report on Laperouse repairs