DENEB (2011) | Novatug Maritime Wiki

Classification

Incident Type: Capsize not girding
Severity: High

The vessel was declared a constructive total loss after the in-port capsize.

Vessel Details

Field	Value
Vessel Name	DENEB
Vessel Type	Container
Flag State	Antigua and Barbuda [AG]
IMO Number	9061306
Call Sign	V2CM6
Gross Tonnage	3992
LOA (m)	101.13
Breadth (m)	18.20
TEU	509
Year Built	1992
Crew Size	10

Incident Details

Field	Value
Date	2011-06-11
Location	Juan Carlos I-East pier, APM Terminals, Port of Algeciras
Region	Spain
Coordinates	36.1288, -5.4446
Fatalities	0
Injuries	2
Missing	0
Investigation Body	Comisión Permanente de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes Marítimos (CIAIM)
Direct Damage	Constructive total loss

Key facts

DENEB capsized at about 13:38 Spanish official time while container number 150 of a planned load of 163 was being placed in bay 18.
The vessel went from upright to a heel of about 45 degrees against the pier in approximately 30 seconds.
Two crew members sustained non-life-threatening injuries; all crew were able to leave the vessel.
Two port tugs arrived within 14 minutes and held the vessel against the pier, preventing it from completely capsizing.
DENEB was declared a constructive total loss on 1 July, refloated on 13 July and moved for machinery recovery before planned scrapping.

Narrative

DENEB arrived at APM Terminals' Juan Carlos I-East pier in Algeciras on 10 June 2011. After unloading 232 empty containers, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel began loading a planned 163 containers at 02:00 the following morning. Loading was intended to proceed from forward to aft for a voyage to Livorno and Genoa.

At 04:10, stevedores stopped work because they considered portable stowage supports needed in parts of bays 09 and 17 unsafe. The ship and terminal then modified the loading plan, leaving the positions requiring those supports empty and reallocating 12 affected containers elsewhere aboard. The skipper approved the revised plan, and loading resumed at 06:20. During the operation, the ship repeatedly heeled by as much as 10 degrees. The second officer responded by alternating loading between the vessel's sides, while ballast was also adjusted. These warning signs did not lead to a fresh verification of the load condition.

At 13:38, container number 150 was loaded in bay 18 on the starboard side. DENEB began to heel toward the pier, slowly at first and then progressively faster. Within about 30 seconds, containers touched the pier and the vessel came to rest at an angle of about 45 degrees. Crew and terminal personnel on deck escaped into the water or onto the pier. Others had difficulty leaving accommodation and machinery spaces as furniture and equipment obstructed exits. The report accounts for all ten crew members. Two sustained non-life-threatening injuries that did not require hospitalization, while other crew members and stevedores suffered contusions.

Two port tugs arrived by 13:52 and pushed DENEB against the pier, preventing a complete capsize. Small gasoil spots were detected and containment barriers were deployed. Salvors began removing containers the next day. The ship was declared a constructive total loss on 1 July, refloated on 13 July and towed to Campamento pier on 18 July for machinery recovery before planned scrapping in Santander.

CIAIM concluded that cargo-planning and loading errors produced an inadequate stability condition. Many declared container weights were substantially below actual weights, the containers had not been weighed, and BAPLIE data did not match declared weights. The final modified plan did not comply with regulatory stability criteria. Inadequate loading oversight, limited experience among the deck officers, heavy workload and probable fatigue also contributed.

Sequence of events

Date/time	Event
2011-06-11 02:00 local	Loading of the planned 163 containers began.
2011-06-11 04:10 local	Stevedores stopped loading over concerns about portable stowage supports.
2011-06-11 06:20 local	Loading resumed under a modified stowage plan.
2011-06-11 13:38 local	DENEB capsized toward the pier as container number 150 was loaded in bay 18.
2011-06-11 13:52 local	Two port tugs pushed the vessel against the pier to prevent a complete capsize.
2011-07-01	The vessel was declared a constructive total loss.
2011-07-13	DENEB was refloated.
2011-07-18	The vessel was towed to Campamento pier for machinery recovery before planned scrapping.

Contributing factors

Factor	Evidence status	Description
Incorrect container weights	Confirmed finding	Declared weights for many containers were substantially below actual weights, and the containers had not been weighed to verify the declarations.
BAPLIE errors	Confirmed finding	Electronic weight data sent to the vessel did not coincide with the declared weights used elsewhere in the cargo documentation.
Non-compliant final load plan	Confirmed finding	The modified final plan produced a condition that did not meet regulatory stability criteria, but loading was authorized.
Loading oversight	Confirmed finding	Repeated heeling indicated that the plan might be wrong, but the deck officers did not stop to verify the vessel's condition.
Experience, workload and fatigue	Confirmed finding	CIAIM found insufficient experience among the deck officers, excessive workload and probable fatigue contributed to deficient planning and oversight.

Investigation

Spain's Comisión Permanente de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes Marítimos published technical report A-20/2012. It concluded that errors in cargo planning and loading allowed DENEB to reach an inadequate stability condition and capsize. Its recommendations addressed container weighing, exchange and accuracy of BAPLIE data, loading-computer requirements, onboard cargo procedures and deck-officer training.

References

CIAIM technical report A-20/2012: Capsizing of DENEB at the Port of Algeciras