Four injured as ferry hits Dover harbour wall - 9 November 2014

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Four injured as ferry hits Dover harbour wall


The Dover Seaways hit the harbour wall at about 08:00 GMT

Four people were injured when a cross-channel ferry leaving Dover for France hit a harbour wall.

The Dover Seaways struck the dock as it departed for Dunkirk at 08:00 GMT. Passengers and crew were evacuated from the DFDS vessel. Paramedics said four people were taken to hospital with "bumps and bruises".

A spokeswoman for the ferry company said: "We would like to underline that passenger safety is of paramount importance to us." "We're working hard with all passengers and relevant authorities to provide assistance to those involved," she added.

The ferry is currently being assessed for repairs and has been berthed at the Eastern Docks.

One eyewitness told the Dover Express: "The ship's rudders went 30 degrees to starboard but by time they got to the entrance it was too late. It must have hit at about eight knots (10mph)."

South East Coast Ambulance Service said the injured were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. "None of them are thought to have suffered life-threatening or serious injuries," a spokesperson said.

Carsten Jensen, senior vice president of DFDS Seaways, said: "All 320 passengers and freight have now disembarked the vessel and those who chose to continue their journey have been accommodated on other ferries. I would like to apologise to all passengers and freight customers who have been affected by this incident."

The Port of Dover said an investigation would begin to find out what happened.

Sea conditions in the English Channel were slight to moderate and visibility was good just before the ferry set off on its journey.


An eyewitness told the Dover Express the ferry hit the harbour wall at about 10mph


The ferry was carrying 320 passengers and freight when the crash occured

[Thatcham Crossing]

I was in Dover over the weekend, but didn't find out about this incident until I returned home this evening.

My observations would be that today (Sunday) the wind and sea state was actually a lot calmer than yesterday, when it looked pretty rough around the harbour entrances.

This DFDS ship is not one of the largest using Dover (P&O Ferries have those), but in general over the years the ships have kept growing in size, whilst the harbour entrances haven't.

[Chris from Nailsea]

To me, as an armchair critic, rather than as a master mariner:

The Dover Seaways hit the harbour wall at about 08:00 GMT

I reckon he hit the harbour wall at about 45 degrees ... 

[LiskeardRich]

From the evidence available steering failure seems to be most likely cause. But I don't know how you steer a ship probably more technical than a steering wheel though

[ChrisB]

The ship will have swung round on the tide as soon as they powered down. That photo will not show the angle of collision, most likely

[Red Squirrel]

The Dover Seaways hit the harbour wall at about 08:00 GMT

Has no-one else noticed that there appars to be a UFO hovering in the vicinity? I think alions were attempting to abduct the ship with all on board - what a lucky excape!