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Ferry damaged hitting dock in Harwich Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting dock in Harwich
(about 2 hours later)
A lifeboat has been launched after a ferry carrying 400 people struck the dock in Harwich, Essex, as it berthed. 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.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. Eric Chalmers, who was 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 been holed below the water line.Essex Fire and Rescue Service said no-one was trapped and there had been no injuries but the vessel had been holed below the water line.
Mr Chalmers said: "I heard a horrible, really loud crumpling, thundery noise.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""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.He said the vessel had "got a hell of a list to port" but people could be seen on deck and appeared calm.
'Ship stable''Ship stable'
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.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 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.""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. A spokeswoman for ferry owner DFDS said the ferry had arrived at the port from Esbjerg in Denmark.
'No danger'
"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."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.
'Quite some speed'
"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. ""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.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.""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."
An RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, was despatched to the scene at about 12:30 BST.An RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, was despatched to the scene at about 12:30 BST.
Speaking from the scene, BBC Essex presenter Liana Bridges said: "I can see passengers out on the balconies and the decks. Chris Vincent, 50, was on board the ship having returned from a motorcycle tour to the Arctic Circle and said the ship "juddered" as it hit the quayside.
"All the emergency services are on the scene. There's lots of spectators, but the people I can see on the ship are slowly being escorted off and at the moment everything seems very calm and organised." "We were coming into the port at about 11:45 BST and were due to arrive at 12:00. The ferry seemed to be coming in at quite some speed," he said.
"We heard a bang and some metallic noises. We looked out of the cabin window and could see the ship had hit a hydraulic boarding ramp and some metal bollards. The front of the ship ploughed into the quay."
"The crew were quite good and kept everybody calm. They put tea and coffee and soft drinks on for everybody."
He said messages over the ship's public address system told passengers what was happening.