Leeuwin damage: New images and video reveal extent of damage to WA’s iconic tall ship after cargo vessel hit

New images revealing the extent of the damage on WA’s Leeuwin tall ship have emerged as processes to fix the iconic vessel get underway.

The STS Leeuwin II was left mangled with broken masts, rigging and debris strewn across the deck after cargo ship Maersk Shekou ran into the anchored vessel while berthed in Fremantle Port about 6am on August 30.

Photographs of the aftermath showed the Leeuwin as a crumpled mess but at the time the extent of the damage was not clear.

Almost two weeks after the event, The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation has released close-up vision of the vessel and confirmed the process to fix it has started.

Photos show the ship masts, spars and rigging have all been significantly damaged. However, the hull of the ship remains intact and watertight.

STS Leeuwin Leading Master James Rakich has also thanked the community for its “outpouring of support”.

“It is with a heavy but hopeful heart that I write this, after Friday’s incident where the vessel was dismasted whilst alongside at B Berth,” he said.

“I’m thankful for the medical care and support provided to our two crew members aboard at the time, and the outpouring of support from throughout the Leeuwin community — asking how can they help?

“I feel the shock that each and every one of us go through, seeing a vessel we believe in, live aboard, make friends on, be a part of reduced to a state that is familiar, but barely recognizable.

“The masts, spars and rigging have all been significantly damaged, with the masts all having fallen most of the way to deck, still under tension.”Mr Rakich said he had been through the ship and its watertight integrity was “maintained”.

“We have closed underwater valves and watertight doors, and the ship appears for the time being safe in its position alongside B Berth,” he said.

“We are continuing to monitor our drafts and mooring lines to ensure the safety of the vessel, and attention now draws toward the task of derigging the vessel to make it safe for access and to then determine the full extent of the damage.

“I must stress that this is a high-risk/low-frequency event (look it up, it’s good watching). Our priority is to avoid injury to workers and further damage to the vessel.

“I am overwhelmed by the eagerness of volunteers old and new to support the vessel in any way they can help.

“Please continue to reach out to our office - we may not respond immediately but we are listening. In time, we will get the vessel ready to sail once more.

“I can’t tell you when or how long that will take, this early after the incident, but know that when the times comes the whole Leeuwin family will be instrumental in our return to sail, and I’ll be with you and the ship every step of the way.”

Two crew members, who were asleep in the cabin of the Leeuwin at the time, were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, with one man believed to have suffered a broken arm.

The men were sleeping in the hull when they were woken by a loud crack. It is believed they suffered the injuries as they escaped the ship.

The container ship had also “slightly impacted” the Maritime Museum nearby, with structural engineers called in to assess the integrity of the building.

The Fremantle Port, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have launched an investigation into the incident.

Those who wish to support the recovery of The Leeuqin can donate to the Phoenix Fund and sign up for news and updates on its progress at sailleeuwin.com.