Ferry Damaged After Striking Quay in Harwich

Harwich RNLI lifeboat stands by as tugs help the Sirena Seaways. Image RNLI

A passenger ferry in the U.K. sustained damage and was taking on water Saturday, after striking a quay while docking at the Harwich International Port in Essex county.

Thames Coastguard was notified just after noon Saturday of reports that the ferry Sirena Seaways had been damaged after coming into contact with the quay wall. At first the vessel was taking on water, but this was soon stopped and the water level was brought under control.

The Walton Coastguard Rescue Team, the Harwich RNLI lifeboat, the harbour launch boat, and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham were sent to the scene, along with a number of other nearby vessels and tugs that went to assist.

At 2.45pm the ferry was brought alongside at Harwich International Port and all 489 passengers on board disembarked. No one was injured and there was no reported pollution.

RNLI indicates that strong winds may have played a role in the allision.

“Thames Coastguard assisted Harwich International Port with the co-ordination of this incident,” said Aimee Rampton, Watch Manager at Thames Coastguard. “We had a very successful outcome today, 489 people onboard and no injuries incurred.”

“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,” said Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Station Officer Terry Jewell.

The Sirena Seaways operates from Denmark to Harwich.