This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23014901
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ferry damaged hitting dock in Harwich | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A lifeboat has been launched after a ferry carrying 400 people struck the dock in Harwich, Essex, as it berthed. | |
| Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Sirena Seaways vessel listing to its port side in Parkeston Quay after the accident. | |
| Eric Chalmers, who is at the scene, said the ferry was "only just" upright in the water. | |
| Essex Fire and Rescue Service said no-one was trapped and there had been no injuries but the vessel had suffered damage below the water line. | |
| Mr Chalmers said: "I heard a horrible, really loud crumpling, thundery noise. | |
| "I snapped my head around and there she is, ploughing straight into the docks bows-on" | |
| He said the vessel had "got a hell of a list to port" but people could be seen on deck and appeared calm. | |
| 'No danger' | |
| Station officer Terry Jewell, from Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is one of the regular ferries that comes into Harwich and as it docked it hit the side of the quay making a hole under the water line. | |
| "The ship is stable now and we are standing by as a precaution while the vessel is moved so that ramps can come down and passengers can leave. | |
| "The ship's crew worked swiftly to put their safety plans into practice immediately the accident happened." | |
| A spokeswoman for ferry owner DFDS said the ferry had just arrived at the port from Esbjerg in Denmark. | |
| 'Late discharge' | |
| "We can confirm that Sirena Seaways sustained some damage on entering the port at Harwich during today's scheduled arrival at 12:00 UK time," she said. | |
| "This has resulted in the late discharge of the ship. There is no danger to passengers or crew, and we are working hard to disembark the passengers and vehicles from the ferry as quickly as possible. " | |
| The spokeswoman added: "We are currently assessing the situation before it is able to resume its service on the Harwich - Esbjerg route. | |
| "We would like to apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused to their travel plans. We should have further details on the future timings of the service shortly." |