CMA CGM FLORIDA

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Miscommunication, protocol breaches caused CMA CGM Florida collision

Miscommunication over VHF radio and actions contrary to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) led to the collision of the bulker Chou Shan and boxship CMA CGM Florida (Florida) on 19 March 2013. The collision caused a spill of 610 tonnes of fuel oil in the East China Sea, as well as the damage or loss of 263 containers. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report shows that in the run up to the incident, which occurred at 0033hrs, Florida changed course to avoid a group of fishing vessels with a closest point of approach under 0.1 nm. The container ship's course change caused a risk of collision with bulk carrier Chou Shan, which was to cross Florida port to starboard. In a radio conversation over VHF Chou Shan's officer of the watch requested Florida pass around Chou Shan's stern. The use of VHF to prevent collision runs contrary to industry advice and the course agreed contravenes rule 15 of ColRegs, which places the duty to give way on the ship which has the other on the starboard side, in this case Chou Shan. The call to Florida was conducted in Mandarin and answered by her second officer, as the Filipino officer on watch did not speak Mandarin. Miscommunication and confusion over the agreed course change led to an attempt to agree a port to port pass as the ships closed, but it was again unclear which course both ships should take and were taking. In the resulting collision 610 tonnes of fuel oil were spilled from Florida, as it sustained extensive damage to its port side, affecting cargo holds, five decks of the accommodation block, the port lifeboat, fuel tanks and 263 containers. Chou Shan sustained heavy damage to her bow and no injuries were reported on either vessel. CMA CGM and Sincere Navigation have both taken steps since the incident to prevent a recurrence. Source : seatrade global

Oil clean up continued, ship at anchor in Yangshan awaiting repairs

Shanghai maritime authorities are still cleaning up the oil spill northeast of the mouth of Yangtze River, a week after the "CMA CGM Florida" collided with the Panama-flagged bulkcarrier "Chou Shan“ (IMO-No.: 9296963) on Mar 19. Most of the leaked fuel from the "CMA CGM Florida" has now been cleaned. The container ship remained still at the local Yangshan anchorage for further examinations and repair work. Repairs will need to be complete before the ship is allowed to unload its cargo. About 674 cubic meters of fuel leaked from the container ship about 124 marine miles northeast of the Yangtze. Some containers on the British ship were damaged or dislodged by the impact. Those containing dangerous substances remained unaffected. The "CMA CGM Florida" was carrying a cargo of more than 1,500 containers, of which 76 contained dangerous goods.

Oil spills on Yangtze River off Shanghai after ships collide

OIL spilled at the mouth of the Yangtze River in Shanghai after two foreign cargo ships collided early yesterday (March 19, 2013), local maritime administration said. About 674 cubic meters of fuel from a British registered container ship, CMA CGM FLORIDA, spilled into the waters stretching 124 marine miles, officials said. Rescue and maritime ships were still evaluating the leaks and possible pollution caused by the spill late yesterday. The British ship collided with the Panama-registered Capesize bulk carrier Chou Shan early in the morning yesterday with the CMA CGM FLORIDA reporting that water had flooded one of its cabins. Some containers on the British ship were damaged or dislocated from the impact of the collision but the dangerous goods were safe, maritime officials said. There was no reports of any injuries so far.