A tall ship used as sail-training vessel has been largely destroyed after being crushed by a container ship, leaving two people injured.
The STS Leeuwin II was extensively damaged in the collision with the container vessel Maersk Shekou in Fremantle Port early on Friday morning.
St John WA confirmed three crews attended the incident about 6.20am and treated two people who were on the STS Leeuwin II at the time.
A man in his 20s and a man in his 60s were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, reported The West.
One man is believed to have a broken arm.
The ABC reported the container ship was hit by a ‘sudden squall’ as it entered the port.
A caller to 6PR said he saw the tall ship in pieces on his way to Rottnest Island, reported The West.
‘The Leeuwin has been absolutely smashed to pieces,’ he said.
Photos of the STS Leeuwin II show it extensively damaged after it collided with the container vessel Maersk Shekou in Fremantle Port early on Friday morning
The STS Leeuwin is a tall ship owned and operated by youth development charity Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation. The three-masted 1850s-style ship is used to train young people in the use of sails
‘None of its mast is standing and it’s listing over and hanging over onto the port.
‘That container ship has come into the port and smashed into The Leeuwin.
‘They’ve dropped the anchor to try and halt it and now they can’t get the anchor back up. It must be lodged on the bottom.’
A spokesperson for Fremantle Port said the Shekou is now under control of tug operators.
The STS Leeuwin is a tall ship owned and operated by youth development charity Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.
The three-masted 1850s-style ship is used to train young people in the use of sails.
It’s believed the hull of the tall ship may have remained undamaged but the masts and rigging have been significantly damaged.
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