STS Leeuwin II destroyed following incident at Fremantle Port

An iconic Australian tall ship has been crushed by a container vessel trying to come into a busy port.

An investigation is under way after the iconic STS Leeuwin II tall ship was crushed by a container vessel at Western Australia’s Fremantle Port.

The Maersk Shekou – a large 332m Singapore flagged container – struck the STS Leeuwin II that was berthed at the port on Friday morning.

It was the country’s biggest sail-training ship, with an overall length of 55m, but is now a crumpled mess.

The mast of the Leeuwin tall ship was destroyed. Picture: Facebook/ Les Hayward

Despite a broken mast, the Fremantle Port Authority’s Neil Stanbury believed the hull of the tall ship remained structurally sound following the incident.

“It’s a bit of action down here at the port,” Mr Stanbury told radio station 6PR.

“Currently the container ship is in the middle of the harbour. it’s under control and is safe and will be berthed shortly,” Mr Stanbury said.

“It’s a pretty messy scene.

“But fortunately … the hull itself is structurally sound, it may not have been hit by the ship itself, perhaps the rigging has just been taken down.

“The stern of the container ship appears to have struck the superstructure of the maritime museum, only in a minor way but it shows the nature of the incident.”

WA’s iconic Leeuwin tall ship was crushed by a container vessel at Fremantle Port. Picture: Facebook/ Neil Macleod

An investigation will now look into how the incident unfolded.

“This is a very large ship. The safe handling of all ships is absolutely paramount at the port,” Mr Stanbury said.

“A ship like this always have four tugs on it when its manoeuvred in and out.

“It may well have been a weather event … but we don’t know yet, we’ll have to look at it.

“The (container ship’s) anchor is down in the harbour as a precaution.”

The container ship remains stranded in the harbour. Facebook/ Gavin Partridge

Meanwhile, two men working on-board the Leeuwin have been taken to hospital.

It’s understood one might have minor injuries while the other has a broken arm.

“But they’re both okay and we’re very glad about that,” Mr Stanbury said.

Visitors to Rottnest Island are being warned that delays may occur with the ferry as water police continue to control the harbour following the incident.

Originally published as STS Leeuwin II destroyed following incident at Fremantle Port