Investigators descend on Fremantle over smashing of The Leeuwin

Investigators are descending on Fremantle to investigate a 332-metre Maersk container ship crashing into beloved Perth sailing vessel The Leeuwin.

The container ship hit The Leeuwin at the port while coming in to berth about 6.15am Friday, leaving the tall ship de-masted, with two workers aboard rushed to hospital.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the investigation had commenced.

“As reported to the ATSB, the container ship Maersk Shekou was being conducted to its berth by a Fremantle harbour pilot when it collided with the berthed tall ship STS Leeuwin II, resulting in substantial damage, and injuries to two crew members on the sail training ship,” he said.

“The ATSB is deploying a team of four transport safety investigators from its Brisbane, Canberra, and Sydney offices, with expertise in shipboard operations, pilotage, and recorded data systems, to the site.

“They will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including vessel examination, interviews, and the recovery of any relevant recorded data, as well as documents, records and weather information.

“A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation and will detail evidence, analysis and findings.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken.”

The damage sustained to the ship was devastating, said the Fremantle Port Authority’s chief executive Jody Ransom.

Ransom said the bow struck the Leeuwin, while the stern hit a berth and the edge of the Maritime Museum’s roof.

She said she was waiting for updates on the Leeuwin’s injured crew members but believed their injuries were non-life threatening.

The Maersk vessel was now berthed and authorities were assessing the harbour for damage or hazardous debris.

The external investigation would include investigators speaking to her master and crew.

Ransom had only had a visual assessment of the damage to the Leeuwin so far.

“Obviously … it doesn’t look great,” she said.

“I’ve been told that there is no damage to the hull. The damage at the moment seems to be to her masts and her deck structures.

“It is absolutely [devastating]. The Leeuwin is a foundation piece within the port, and seeing the damage occur … is stressful for all of us and particularly we are concerned for the crew on board the Leeuwin who were injured.”

She assured the public that this was a rare event for a port with ”very strict operating parameters that we’re constantly revising to make sure that the port operates effectively and safely.”

Operations are expected to resume Friday afternoon for the port and the Maritime Museum, which is being assessed by structural engineers but appears to have sustained only superficial damage.

The damage to the hull of the Maersk vessel might impact her ability to sail once she’d completed her cargo operations, Ransom said.

Speaking to Radio 6PR, a witness named Sam said he was on his way to work at Rottnest Island on Friday morning when he saw a crowd near the dock.

He said the container ship had half a dozen tugboats “buzzing round” attempting to move it.

As he got closer to the water he saw The Leeuwin, with its mast and sails ruined and debris floating around.

“The Leeuwin has been absolutely smashed to pieces. None of its mast is standing, and it’s listing over and hanging over onto the port,” he said.

“That container ship has come into the port and smashed into The Leeuwin. They’ve dropped the anchor to try and halt it, and now they can’t get the anchor back up, it must be lodged on the bottom.”

Fremantle Ports government and public relations manager Neil Stanbury said was coming into the port to berth when it hit The Leeuwin.

“It’s a terrible incident. Unfortunately, the two fellows who were on night shift on The Leeuwin … one may have minor injuries, perhaps a broken arm, but they’re both OK, and we’re very glad.”

The Leeuwin 1850s-style schooner rigged with three masts has for decades offered hands-on sailing experiences at sea for all age groups. It is operated by a non-profit group.

Since 1986 it has welcomed more than 40,000 young people on board for its youth development program.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation chairman Jay Weatherill said it was clear the damage was significant and would force temporary cessation of their programs.

“The Leeuwin has sailed rougher seas over these years, and we hope it will return to the service of the youth of WA as soon as possible,” he said.

He wished the injured crew members a speedy recovery.

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