The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has concluded its probe into a serious incident at Holyhead port in which the Stena Line ferry Stena Estrid was holed and approximately 500 tonnes of water flooded into a starboard engine room.
What happened
The vessel was sailing from Dublin and was being assisted by a tug when, at about 07:50 on the morning of 7 January, it made contact with an unprotected turning fender while turning before backing into the berth. There were 157 passengers and crew on board at the time.
- The hull was breached just below the waterline in the starboard engine room and above the waterline on the cargo deck.
- About 500 tonnes of water entered the starboard engine room, with additional unknown flooding into an adjacent void space.
- Crew took immediate action to shore the hull, pump out flooded spaces and transfer ballast to create a port list, raising the damage above the waterline.
- Passengers were disembarked and vehicles unloaded without significant delay once the vessel was brought under control.
Once temporary repairs were completed, the Stena Estrid sailed under her own power to a dry dock in Liverpool for further work. Holyhead Port was closed to ferry traffic until later that evening while the vessel was moved to another berth and the jetty assessed for damage. The MAIB report recorded no significant damage to the jetty and the terminal was returned to service.
Wider context and safety concerns
The MAIB report places the incident in a broader context of several ferry-related contacts at Holyhead over the preceding year. It records incidents including contact with Terminal 5 in May 2025 and another contact in December 2025 which has led to an ongoing closure of that terminal. In July 2025 the port authority issued a notice advising that the particular turning fender involved “was not to be used”.
Although the master of the Stena Estrid was aware of the requirement to avoid that turning fender during berthing, the MAIB found the vessel closed on the jetty faster than expected. Crew actions on board were credited with preventing a more serious outcome by containing flooding and enabling the safe disembarkation of passengers.
“was not to be used” — Holyhead Port Authority notice (July 2025)
Local impact and response
The immediate local impact was a temporary suspension of ferry operations at Holyhead while the incident was managed and an inspection of the jetty carried out. For a town whose economy and connections are closely tied to the port, such disruptions have practical knock-on effects for residents and businesses dependent on regular freight and passenger sailings.
The MAIB’s report also serves as a reminder of the complex choreography required when large ferries berth in what is already a busy port environment. Tugs, fenders and precise vessel handling are all part of the routine; when one element is compromised the results can be serious, as this incident demonstrated.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Passengers and crew on board | 157 |
| Estimated water ingress | 500 tonnes |
| Time of incident | 07:50 (7 January) |
For Holyhead residents, the episode underscores the ongoing importance of robust marine safety procedures and clear communication between port authorities, ship masters and shore teams. The MAIB’s findings will inform any follow-up improvements and, where necessary, enforcement actions to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Port users and local communities will watch closely to see what measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents, and how lessons from recent contacts around the port are applied to daily operations.
