AUSTRALIA’S largest sail-training tall ship has sustained visible damage from an allision with a Maersk container ship in the port of Fremantle.

STS Leeuwin II, an 1850s-style Barquentine, was reportedly hit by Maersk Shekou as it entered the port at approximately 0615 on Friday morning (30 August).

The Singapore-flagged, 332 metre length-overall Maersk Shekou was reportedly itself struck by a sudden squall as it entered the port, before then being pushed into Leeuwin II.

Maersk Shekou was reportedly brought under the control of tugs following the allision.

Two men were confirmed to have been injured in the incident, both aboard the Leeuwin II, though initial reports say the injuries are minor, with the worst suggested to be a broken arm. Both men have been taken to hospital.

Photos from the incident show Leeuwin II having sustained extensive damage, including the ship’s masts having been brought down.

It is possible Leeuwin II’s hull may not have been breached, as the vessel remains afloat at the berth.

It is unknown if any damage was sustained from Maersk Shekou in the allision, though one photo appears to show pieces of Leeuwin II’s sail and mast rigging lodged in Maersk Shekou bow.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it has commenced an investigation into the incident.

“The container ship Maersk Shekou was being conducted to its berth by a Fremantle harbour pilot when it collided with the berthed tall ship STS Leeuwin II, resulting in substantial damage, and injuries to two crew members on the sail training ship,” the ATSB statement said.

“The ATSB is deploying a team of four transport safety investigators from its Brisbane, Canberra, and Sydney offices, with expertise in shipboard operations, pilotage, and recorded data systems, to the site.

“They will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including vessel examination, interviews, and the recovery of any relevant recorded data, as well as documents, records and weather information.”

The ATSB says a final report will be release at the conclusion of the investigation detailing evidence, analysis, and findings.

The bureau says that should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, it will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken.

Described as iconic to the region, Leeuwin II has been used to run youth training voyages along Western Australia’s coastline since it was launched in 1986, and is operated by the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

According to MarineTraffic, Maersk Shekou was calling Fremantle from Adelaide, its previous port call.

Vessel agents were contacted for comment, but were unable to reveal any information prior to an expected statement from Maersk.

This article has been updated to include investigation details from the ATSB.