A Maersk container vessel collided with Australia’s Leeuwin II, causing severe damage. The accident, involving the ship and a nearby maritime museum, is under investigation by Fremantle Port and Australian safety authorities.
A Maersk container vessel, the Maersk Shekou, collided with Australia’s largest sail training ship, the Leeuwin II, while it was docked at Fremantle Port around 0600 hours on Friday morning. The incident occurred amidst a storm, resulting in significant damage to both vessels.
The impact left the Leeuwin II, operated by the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, with all three of its masts broken and visible damage on deck. The container ship also struck the roof of the nearby maritime museum. The area around the Leeuwin II was cordoned off by authorities, and extensive damage was evident.
The Maersk Shekou, which was manoeuvring into Fremantle Port at the time of the collision, was observed with damage to its hull above the waterline towards the stern. The ship has since been berthed at Fremantle Port for assessment.
Fremantle Port, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have launched an investigation into the accident. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated that a team of four transport safety investigators, with expertise in shipboard operations, pilotage, and recorded data systems, is being deployed to the site to determine the cause of the collision.
