A MARINE INVESTIGATION report has found that the crew on the MV Stena Europe did everything possible when strong winds caused the vessel to go out of control and collide with another ferry.

On 26 October last year, the Stena passenger car ferry was berthing in Rosslare Harbour. The average wind speed increased and the vessel lost control and collided with another passenger car ferry, the MV Oscar Wilde.

Minor damaged was sustained by both vessels and there was no injury to anyone in the incident.

An investigation by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board found that the masters of the MV Stena Europe regularly berthed the vessel in conditions which were “above the operational limits of the senior master’s standing orders”.

They report said “they did this without the knowledge or authority of the lines safety manager”.

However the investigation found that the mate/master “did everything possible to bring the vessel under control” and lessened the impact with the MV Oscar Wilde by lowering the anchor and slowing the rate of drift.

“The contact between the vessels was slight and there were no injuries to personnel,” the report said. “This should not take from the possible serious consequences of such contact.”

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