Australia Launches Investigation After Maersk Containership Hits Sail Training Ship in Fremantle

Australia’s largest sail-training ship, STS Leeuwin II, has been severely damaged in a collision with the containership Maersk Shekou at Fremantle inner harbour, Western Australia.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 0615 on August 30, 2024, resulted in injuries to two crew members aboard the sail training vessel, which was docked at the time of the accident.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated a transport safety investigation into the collision.

“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,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.

An AIS video released by MarineTraffic.com shows how the incident unfolded:

The STS Leeuwin II, originally built in 1986, is operated by the Fremantle-based Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

“The vessel is dismasted, this will result in a pause in our sailing program for the near term. When we can safely assess her, we will be putting together a plan to rebuild,” the organization said.

“Rest assured, our aim is to be back sailing better than ever, as soon as we can,” it added.

A team of four transport safety investigators with expertise in shipboard operations, pilotage, and recorded data systems is being deployed from ATSB’s Brisbane, Canberra, and Sydney offices to conduct the investigation. The team will gather evidence through vessel examination, interviews, and the recovery of relevant recorded data, documents, records, and weather information.

“A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation and will detail evidence, analysis and findings,” Mitchell added. “Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken,” he said.

The ATSB, as Australia’s national transport safety investigator, conducts ‘no blame’ investigations in aviation, rail, and marine transport safety. The investigations aim to prevent similar future accidents and are not conducted for administrative, regulatory, or criminal purposes.

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