Leeuwin Demasted, Crew injured, Maritime Museum Struck By Maersk Shekou

At about 6.15 this morning, the Maersk Shekou, a large 332 metre, Singapore flagged container ship entering Fremantle’s inner harbour after a journey from Adelaide, struck and demasted the Leeuwin 2 Training Vessel berthed at Victoria Quay, injuring at least one crew member on overnight watch on the Leeuwin, and hitting the nearby WA Maritime Museum.

Damaged Leeuwin 2. Credit Jean Hudson

Here a Marine Traffic image showing the current position of the Maersk Shekou at 8.30.

Here’s another Marine Traffic file image showing the Maersk Shekou.

And here’s a recent file photo of the Leeuwin 2 in the inner harbour.

File photo Leeuwin 2 Training Vessel. Credit Clyde McGill

Just how the incidents have come about, with 2 pilots on board the Maersk Shekou and 4 tugs attending her, is not yet known. It is thought that recent weather conditions including strong gusts have contributed to the incident. The inner harbour was recently closed to marine traffic for safety reasons by reason of bad weather and was only reopened to marine traffic on Sunday morning.

No doubt the incident will be the subject of a major marine inquiry.

More to follow on Fremantle Shipping News.

Here’s a long shot showing some damage to the Maritime Museum roof.