Iconic sailing ship in ruins due to collision with container ship

The sailing ship Leeuwin II, described by Australian media as a famous and iconic three-master, was severely damaged on Friday after a collision at the port of Fremantle in Western Australia.

The Leeuwin II was struck by the Maersk Shekou, an 8,800 teu container ship.
The Maersk Shekou ran into trouble when she entered the port of Fremantle and a sudden strong wind picked up. The Leeuwin II was moored at the quay near the local Western Australian Maritime Museum and was out of luck when the container giant came her way.

Two injured

The container ship also hit the museum, but the Leeuwin II sustained the heaviest damage. A witness stated that the sailing ship is “smashed to pieces”, while photos show that the three previously proud masts now resemble a pile of Mikado sticks. However, the hull of the sailing ship appears to have less serious damage. Two people who were on board the sailing ship have been taken to hospital, but are said to have no life-threatening injuries. They did, however, suffer a broken arm.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation

Built in Australia in the 1980s, the ‘Leeuwin II’ owes her Dutch name to her being named after the Leeuwin, the VOC ship used by the Dutch to discover part of Western Australia in the seventeenth century. Today, the ship is owned by the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and had just returned to service this summer after a ten-year break as a training ship to take Australian students, young people and children out to sea.

Taking damage

Jay Weatherill, chairman of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation issues the following statement on the foundation’s website:
“The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation would like to thank the public for their expressions of support. […] We are pleased to report that our two crew members who were on board the Leeuwin at the time of the collision have been released from hospital and are recovering. […]
This morning, our captain and surveyors boarded the ship for the first time since the incident. They closed watertight bulkheads and secured key systems on board to ensure the safety of the ship. Although it is too early to fully determine the extent of the damage, there was catastrophic damage to the rigging, masts, spars and equipment on deck. This damage is consistent with a de-masting. We will now draw up a plan to safely dismantle the vessel.
The Leeuwin appreciates the strong interest in the future of the programme and we are aware that the ship has affected the lives of many thousands of Western Australians. We will try to keep everyone informed of the next steps for our beloved Leeuwin.”

Sources: Nieuwsblad Transport, Schuttevaer (for subscribers only) website LOAF.
Images: Fremantle Port via Facebook, LOAF.

Windassist sponsor