Marine investigators have released a statement on the Holyhead port incident that halted ferry services. Terminal 3 at the port – used by Irish Ferries – was damaged in Storm Darragh last month, with Terminal 5 – used by Stena Line vessels – also closed.
This saw ferry services to Dublin cancelled until January 16 – when sailings will start from Terminal 5. Holyhead Port said that on the weekend Storm Darragh hit, December 6-7, “two separate berthing incidents occurred affecting the Terminal 3 berth used by Irish Ferries – resulting in part of the berth structure collapsing and rendering it unusable”.
A video clip shows the collapse of the ‘dolphin’ platform which it is understood occurred as the Irish Ferries vessel Ulysses was leaving the berth. A dolphin is a structure that is used to guide, berth, or moor ships at a port, dock, or jetty.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch – a UK Government organisation authorised to investigate all maritime accidents in UK waters – started making enquiries to “better understand the circumstances which may have contributed to the incident”.
They have now released a new statement to North Wales Live. They said: “The MAIB has completed its preliminary enquiries into the maritime aspects of the incident at Holyhead. The information gathered does not indicate any significant safety issues that would necessitate further investigation at this time.”
Ferry services from Holyhead port will restart from January 16 – with eight daily departures from Terminal 5.
Stena Line said: “Stena Line currently plans to operate four daily sailings ex Holyhead at 04:00hrs, 10:00hrs, 16:00hrs and 22.15hrs from 16th January to 28th February. Beyond this date, the schedule will be updated accordingly if needed when the timeline for a return to a two-berth operation at Holyhead becomes clear. We are currently in the process of contacting affected customers.”
Irish Ferries referred passengers to their website for sailing times.
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