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 3 Version 4
Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting dock in Harwich Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock
(35 minutes later)
A ferry carrying 400 people struck the dock in Harwich, Essex, as it berthed. Almost 500 passengers were stranded on a ferry for more than two hours after it struck the quay while docking and started to let in water.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Sirena Seaways vessel listing to its port side in Parkeston Quay after the accident. The DFDS ferry Sirena Seaways, with 489 passengers on board, hit Parkeston Quay, in Harwich, Essex, just after midday.
Eric Chalmers, who was at the scene, said the ferry was "only just" upright in the water. Eyewitnesses said the ship was listing after the accident, which holed the vessel beneath 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. Essex Fire and Rescue Service said no-one was trapped or injured.
The fire service said the ship's crew plugged the hole from inside and built a compartment with watertight doors to stem the leak.
There had been no pollution, a spokesman added.
A Department for Transport spokesman said a team from the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch was at the scene investigating how the accident happened.
'Very successful outcome'
The Walton Coastguard rescue team, the Harwich RNLI lifeboat, the harbour launch boat, and an RAF search and rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield attended the incident, along with a number of other nearby vessels and tugs that went to assist.
At 14:45 BST the ferry was brought along the quayside and all the passengers on board started disembarking.
Aimee Rampton, watch manager at Thames Coastguard, said: "We had a very successful outcome today: 489 people onboard and no injuries incurred."
The 23,000-tonne vessel had just arrived from Esbjerg, Denmark.
It is described on the DFDS website as a "modern cruise ship with a real focus on passenger entertainment and comfort".
Eric Chalmers, who was at quay when the crash happened, said the ferry was "only just" upright in the water following the collision.
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.
'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.
"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 arrived at the port from Esbjerg in Denmark.
"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. "
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."
An RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, was despatched to the scene at about 12:30 BST.
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.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.
"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 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.
'Ship stable'
"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.""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.""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. Mr Vincent, a salesman from Syston, Leicestershire, said messages over the ship's public address system told passengers what was happening.
Ch Insp Nick Lee, of Essex Police, said: "We worked closely with DFDS, the Port of Harwich authorities and the coastguard. The boat was redocked and the passengers were able to disembark."
Gert Jakobsen, vice-president of communications for DFDS, said it was "difficult to say" why the ship had struck the quayside.
"There might have been some wind, we don't know why, but it hit the quay," he said.
"A ship is very heavy and it caused some damage to the quayside. There was also some damage to the ship in the front at the starboard side.
"It took in a little water but not much. The ship was fully able to handle it so it only took in water for a short period of time."