Isle of Man fast ferry collides with Liverpool landing stage

Aug 1 2008 By Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

Isle of Man ferry crash _320

(image courtesy of potato pictures)

MORE THAN 600 passengers were evacuated off an Isle of Man ferry after it crashed into the dockside this morning.

The smash ripped an 8ft gash in Steam Packet Company’s Fast Track Viking ship.

The 11.15am sailing was caught by a gust of wind as it was pulling away from its Pier Head landing stage.

Viking was thrown back onto the concrete pontoon used for loading vehicles, ripping a hole in her rear port side.

Although the gash pierced the ship’s hull all the damage was above the waterline.

Passengers said the crash nearly threw them off their feet and described a squealing noise as the concrete dragged against the metal hull.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash but it was decided that the boast could not sail until the damage is repaired.

Three hours after the smash the ship was still on the Pier Head. A Steam Packet spokesperson said Viking’s captain was inspecting the ship’s damage before making any plans to move her.

Steam Packet arrivals and departures from Liverpool have been suspended.

It is thought the ship will be taken into the city’s dock system where it will undergo an inspection and repair.

Car and foot passengers were offered refunds by Steam Packet staff or alternative tickets to sail from Heysham, north of Lancaster.

A spokesperson for Liverpool coastguard said: "There’s a small gash above the waterline and as a result of that they obviously had to disembark all 608 passengers.

"The boat will go into the dock system on the Liverpool side to undergo inspection and repair."

A Steam Packet statement said: "Shortly after departing the berth for its scheduled 11.15 sailing from Liverpool, Fast Craft Viking was caught by a squall of wind which pushed her back against the pontoon for loading vehicles. This resulted in some damage to the port side shell plating.

"The Master carried out a full inspection of the damaged area and decided that, in the interests of safety, the vessel cannot sail until the damage has been properly repaired.

"There were no injuries reported following the incident, and passengers were disembarked.

"Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is now making urgent arrangements both to repair the damage to Viking as well as reschedule sailings over the weekend period in order to accommodate those passengers booked to travel.

"A revised sailing schedule will be issued shortly."