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Accidents

Domingue (2016)

On 20 September 2016, the Madagascar-registered tug Domingue assisted the UK-registered container ship CMA CGM Simba during departure from the port of Tulear. Domingue was temporarily replacing the port's normal tug, which was undergoing maintenance, and its crew normally worked with barges rather than ship-assist manoeuvres. The tug was connected to CMA CGM Simba's port quarter with two of the ship's mooring ropes placed over Domingue's single towing hook. At about 17:30, the tug pulled while the container ship pivoted on its remaining forward backsprings. At 17:42, the backsprings were released with the ship's stern about 25 metres from the quay. CMA CGM Simba initially moved astern, bringing the stern close to an outlying mooring dolphin. To avoid striking it, the master applied increasing ahead propulsion and helm. The pilot did not first warn Domingue's skipper that the ship would move ahead. At about 17:45, CMA CGM Simba was making 5.4 knots ahead and Domingue, now astern of the ship, girted and capsized. The ship's crew stopped the engine and the ropes came free. A local pilot boat assisted the tug crew in the water. One crew member died at the scene and another later died in hospital. Domingue foundered and was subsequently salvaged. The MAIB found that the tug could not counter the ship's movement or prevent girting. It identified the tug's limited manoeuvrability, inexperienced crew, lack of a gog rope, lack of an emergency tow-release mechanism, absence of tug monitoring on the ship and weak communication of the ahead movement as contributing factors. The MAIB also considered it highly probable that open doors and hatches accelerated downflooding. The official report confirms two fatalities, no injuries and no missing persons but does not provide an economic-loss estimate.

Classification

FieldValue
Incident TypeCapsize girding
SeverityHigh
Investigation BodyMAIB

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameDomingue
Vessel NamesDomingue; CMA CGM Simba
Vessel TypeTug
Flag StateMadagascar [MG]
IMO Number
Gross Tonnage56.87
LOA (m)16.1
Breadth (m)
Other Involved VesselsCMA CGM Simba, container ship

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2016-09-20
RegionIndian Ocean
LocationPort of Tulear, Madagascar
Coordinates-23.3542, 43.6697
Fatalities2
Injuries0
Missing0
Direct Damage
Economic Damage

Key facts

  • Domingue was temporarily replacing Tulear's normal tug and was less manoeuvrable than the tug normally used for ship assistance.
  • Two CMA CGM Simba mooring ropes connected Domingue's single towing hook to the ship's port quarter.
  • CMA CGM Simba moved ahead to avoid an outlying mooring dolphin without the pilot first warning Domingue's skipper.
  • At about 17:45 local time, Domingue girted and capsized astern of the ship.
  • Domingue had no rigged gog rope or emergency tow-release mechanism, and open doors and hatches probably accelerated downflooding.

Narrative

On 20 September 2016, the Madagascar-registered tug Domingue assisted the UK-registered container ship CMA CGM Simba during departure from the port of Tulear. Domingue was temporarily replacing the port's normal tug, which was undergoing maintenance, and its crew normally worked with barges rather than ship-assist manoeuvres. The tug was connected to CMA CGM Simba's port quarter with two of the ship's mooring ropes placed over Domingue's single towing hook. At about 17:30, the tug pulled while the container ship pivoted on its remaining forward backsprings. At 17:42, the backsprings were released with the ship's stern about 25 metres from the quay. CMA CGM Simba initially moved astern, bringing the stern close to an outlying mooring dolphin. To avoid striking it, the master applied increasing ahead propulsion and helm. The pilot did not first warn Domingue's skipper that the ship would move ahead. At about 17:45, CMA CGM Simba was making 5.4 knots ahead and Domingue, now astern of the ship, girted and capsized. The ship's crew stopped the engine and the ropes came free. A local pilot boat assisted the tug crew in the water. One crew member died at the scene and another later died in hospital. Domingue foundered and was subsequently salvaged. The MAIB found that the tug could not counter the ship's movement or prevent girting. It identified the tug's limited manoeuvrability, inexperienced crew, lack of a gog rope, lack of an emergency tow-release mechanism, absence of tug monitoring on the ship and weak communication of the ahead movement as contributing factors. The MAIB also considered it highly probable that open doors and hatches accelerated downflooding. The official report confirms two fatalities, no injuries and no missing persons but does not provide an economic-loss estimate.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2016-09-20 17:30 localDomingue was secured to CMA CGM Simba's port quarter with two mooring ropes.
2016-09-20 17:42 localThe forward backsprings were released with the ship's stern about 25 metres from the quay.
2016-09-20 17:45 localCMA CGM Simba moved ahead at 5.4 knots; Domingue girted and capsized astern of the ship.
2016-09-20 after 17:45A local pilot boat assisted the crew; two crew members later died and the tug foundered.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
Uncommunicated ship movementConfirmed findingThe pilot did not warn Domingue's skipper before CMA CGM Simba moved ahead, leaving no opportunity to reposition the tug.
Tug capability and crew experienceConfirmed findingDomingue was less manoeuvrable than the port's normal tug and its crew lacked ship-assist experience.
Missing towing safeguardsConfirmed findingNo gog rope was rigged and the towing hook had no emergency release mechanism for the ropes under tension.
Lack of tug monitoringConfirmed findingNobody aboard CMA CGM Simba was assigned to monitor Domingue's position during the departure manoeuvre.
Open doors and hatchesConfirmed findingThe MAIB considered it highly probable that downflooding through open openings contributed to the rapid capsize.

Investigation

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch published Report 16/2017 on the capsize of Domingue while assisting CMA CGM Simba. The report's scope was centred on the container ship, with limited access to tug-side evidence, while Madagascar's maritime authority conducted a parallel investigation. MAIB identified deficiencies in planning, communication, tug monitoring, towing safeguards, crew experience and personal protective equipment. It confirms two fatalities among Domingue's five crew, no injuries and no missing persons, and does not provide a normalized economic-loss estimate.

References

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