Failure of controllable pitch propeller on cargo vessel CFL Patron resulting in contact with lock gates and tug Guardsman
Location: Immingham Docks, England.
Completed PE Summary: CFL Patron
A short summary of the accident and action taken:
| Merchant Vessel/Accident Details | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | CFL Patron |
| Registered Owner | CFL Patron |
| Manager | CFL Shipmanagement B.V. |
| Port of Registry | Groningen |
| Flag | Netherlands |
| Type | General cargo vessel |
| Built | 2008 |
| Construction | Steel |
| Length Overall | 118.4m |
| Gross Tonnage | 4106 |
| Date/Time | 29/08/2010, 0932 (UTC) |
| Location of Incident | Immingham lock |
| Incident Type | Machinery failure resulting in contact |
| Persons Onboard | 9 |
| Injuries/Fatalities | None |
| Damage/Pollution | Damage to vessel, tug, and lock gates |
Synopsis
The general cargo vessel CFL Patron suffered a controllable pitch propeller (CPP) control power failure while manoeuvring at 1.6 knots in the lock at Immingham docks, prior to departing the port. Despite the master’s attempts to recover control of the CPP system, the pitch remained at approximately 40% ahead, causing the vessel to accelerate. Although a forward spring was deployed and the tug Guardsman attempted to slow the vessel’s progress by pushing, the vessel impacted heavily with the outer lock gates at 3.7 knots. The east outer gate sustained major damage and subsequently sank, with minor damage reported to other lock gates. The lock was re-opened over 24 hours later with vessel-length operational restrictions after the sunken gate was recovered. Both CFL Patron and the tug sustained minor damage, the former to her bulbous bow; there were no injuries or pollution. The cause of the CPP control power failure could not be determined.
Action taken
The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the vessel’s manager, CFL Shipmanagement B.V., regarding emergency preparedness for propulsion failures on its vessels; pre-departure testing of propulsion systems; and preservation of evidence and data following an accident.
Published: November 2010