WA’s iconic tall ship the STS Leeuwin II, which is backed by billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s foundation, has been crushed by a container ship at Fremantle Port this morning.
Western Australia's iconic tall ship the STS Leeuwin II, which is backed by billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s foundation, was crushed by a container ship at Fremantle Port this morning.
While docked at Victoria Quay, the Leeuwin was struck by the Maersk Shekou container ship at 6.15am while the latter was being conducted to its berth by a Fremantle harbour pilot, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
The collision caused substantial damage to the Leeuwin and non-life-threatening injuries to two crew members who have since been taken to hospital.
The Leeuwin's three masts were snapped, leading to a collapse of the tall ship's rigging, according to Fremantle Ports. It's unclear what damage was sustained to the Leeuwin's hull.
The Maersk Shekou container ship also struck the nearby WA Maritime Museum, where engineers were working on checking its structural integrity.
The Maersk Shekou container ship in Fremantle this morning. Photo: Michael O'Brien.
Ship movement through the harbour was temporarily grinded to a halt this morning as result of the incident, before the passage was reopened.
The Maersk Shekou is understood to be more than 300 metres long and 40 metres wide.
It appears it was damaged just above the waterline at the stern end of the starboard side.
The damaged Leeuwin at Victoria Quay, workers at the scene. Photo: Michael O'Brien.
Two workers on the overnight watch were onboard the Leeuwin at the time of the incident. Shortly after, St John WA was called and three crew members attended the scene.
A man in his 20s was taken to Royal Perth Hospital and a man in his 60s was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital, both with non-life-threatening injuries.
STS Leeuwin II is a 1850s-style barquentine-built sail-training tall ship, used for voyages and youth education and activity programs.
The ship is owned and operated by Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, one of WA’s top 100 charitable organisations by revenue.
Andrew Forrest in front of the Leeuwin II at Victoria Quay earlier this year. Photo: Minderoo Foundation.
The charity tumbled into trouble last year and voluntarily appointed administrators from KordaMentha, before executing a deed of company arrangement with Minderoo Foundation.
That revival deal included a $3.5 million grant from Minderoo and provisioned for former premier of South Australia and Minderoo executive Jay Weatherill to become chairman.
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation also received support from the Department of Communities, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Fremantle Ports.
Mr Weatherill confirmed two of the charity's crew were on board at the time of collision.
"Both were injured but managed to escape from the vessel and are being assessed and receiving medical treatment," he said.
"Our first concern is for their safety and welfare and our thoughts and best wishes are with our crew mates for a speedy recovery.
"Once our crew are cared for a proper assessment of the vessel will be undertaken and we will update on the status of the vessel."
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation chairman Jay Weatherill at the scene this morning. Photo: Michael O'Brien.
Mr Weatherill said it was clear that the damage to the STS Leeuwin was significant and would result in a temporary cessation of their adventure based training program.
"The Leeuwin has been helping the youth of Western Australia for more than 35 years and remains a community-based volunteer driven organisation," he said.
"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."
One of the three snapped masts of the Leeuwin. Photo: Michael O'Brien.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched a transport safety investigation into the collision.
"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," it 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."
ATSB said a final report would be released at the conclusion of the investigation and should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, it would immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken.
