Today’s news / Maersk ship damages sailboat in Australian port

Maersk ship damages sailboat in Australian port

A Maersk container ship, the Maersk ‘Shekou’, collided with the iconic sail training ship STS ‘Leeuwin’ at the port of Fremantle in Western Australia, resulting in two crew members being injured and hospitalized. Despite significant injuries, their lives are not in danger. The 1850s-style, 55-meter sailboat, with three masts used to train young people, sustained serious damage including snapped masts and hull damage. The Maersk ‘Shekou’ also suffered hull damage. The incident, investigated by Singaporean maritime authorities, occurred as the ship was entering the port assisted by four tugboats. Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation chairman Jay Weatherill indicated that ‘Leeuwin’ would not sail again soon but its hull was not severely damaged. Additionally, a nearby maritime museum was damaged. Maersk has expressed regret and pledged to cooperate with the authorities. The collision took place on the morning of August 30.