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Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock | Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock |
(35 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
The DFDS ferry Sirena Seaways, with 489 passengers on board, hit Parkeston Quay, in Harwich, Essex, just after midday. | The DFDS ferry Sirena Seaways, with 489 passengers on board, hit Parkeston Quay, in Harwich, Essex, just after midday. |
Eyewitnesses said the ship was listing after the accident, which holed the vessel beneath the water line. | 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 or injured. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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." |
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. |
'Heard a bang' | |
"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. |
"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." |
Mr Vincent, a salesman from Syston, Leicestershire, 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." | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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." |