HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision The submarines HMS "Vanguard" and "Triomphant" collided in the Atlantic Ocean in the night between 3–4 February 2009. Both are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Royal Navy's and the French Navy's both sustained damage, but no injuries or radioactivity releases were reported. At the time of the collision, both vessels were submerged and, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, moving "at very low speed"; both are equipped with active and passive sonar, although only the latter is used on an operational patrol. HMS "Vanguard" was on a routine patrol in the Eastern
French submarine Brumaire French submarine Brumaire French submarine "Brumaire" (Q60) was a Laubeuf type submarine built for the French Navy prior to World War I. She was the name ship of her class. "Brumaire" was ordered by the French Navy as part of its 1906 programme and was laid down at the Cherbourg Naval Yard in October of that year. Work progressed slowly, and she was not launched until 29 April 1911. She was commissioned on 20 March 1912. "Brumaire" was equipped with licence-built M.A.N. diesel engines for surface propulsion, and electric motors for power while submerged. She carried eight torpedoes, two internally