The Maersk Shekou container vessel crashed into the tall sailing ship Leeuwin II in Fremantle port on Friday morning, injuring two crew members.
The Singapore-registered Maersk vessel collided with Australia’s largest sail training ship while it was berthed in the port at around 6am local time on Friday morning.
Officials immediately cordoned off the area around Leeuwin II, which had incurred serious damage in the collision.
According to Western Australian media reports, two crew members who were onboard the sailing ship sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital.
Maersk Shekou, which was sailing into Fremantle Port in stormy weather, also hit the roof of the nearby maritime museum. The container vessel incurred damage to her hull above the water line near the stern.
Jay Weatherill, chairperson of Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, which owns the training ship, told local media that the damage was “significant” but he hoped the hull had largely been spared.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and Fremantle Port are investigating the incident.
