2019 super yacht crashes into dock

• SYDNEY, NSW
• MELBOURNE, VIC
• HOBART, TAS
• BRISBANE, QLD
• ADELAIDE, SA
• CANBERRA, ACT

Multi-million-dollar superyacht crashes into wharf as onlookers watch

Send your stories to [email protected]

Property News : This home with movable walls resembles a luxury treehouse.

Top Stories

'War is not yet won': RBA keeps rates on hold as borrowers await cut

Opening of Aussie landmark thrown into chaos by horse-riding extremist

Young criminals repeatedly target 94-year-old in regional NSW town

Inside the black market of backyard solarium salons

Incredible moment superyacht crashes into Cairns wharf

A superyacht with mechanical problems had no other option but to crash into a marina in Cairns as the crew frantically tried to minimise damage.

Government hits back at Olympics claim

Union’s huge bid before Qantas sacking

Moment of refugee’s fatal fall revealed

Footage of a multimillion-dollar superyacht crashing into a wharf in Cairns has emerged showing terrified diners watch on.

The 45.6m yacht Moatize lost control just after 6pm last night when a mechanical problem caused one of its engines to lock into full speed.

The quick-thinking crew were seen at the front of the yacht waving their arms and telling people to get out of the way as other members dropped the anchor to minimise damage.

The Moatize crew were praised for quickly slowing down the superyacht, meaning other boats at the marina were only slightly damaged.

Diners at the Prawn Star, a converted-trawler restaurant, watched on as the superyacht kept coming closer and closer.

Despite the close call, no one at the restaurant, which was at its full capacity of 60 people last night, were injured.

Prawn Star even embraced their dramatic Saturday night, posting footage of the near miss to their Facebook page.

Never a dull moment at the Prawn Star. Everyone was safe but a little shaken after this happened yesterday! Thank you to our amazing crew for handling it so well. Posted by Prawn Star Cairns on  Saturday, 10 August 2019

“It was scary, people were screaming and very frightened. But no one was hurt and that’s the most important thing,” Prawn Star’s business manager Kay Green told the ABC.

“One of the customers said he felt like he had been in an episode of (the movie) Speed 2 .

“I offered everyone free beer but they said it was the best entrainment they’d had for years so they weren’t really bothered about free beer.”

The Prawn Star was forced to close after the crash due to the superyacht damaging the marina’s berthing pontoon.

Ms Green stayed positive and said she expects the restaurant to be back up and running soon.

“Our crew handled it perfectly, they kept their calm, got everyone off the boats and got everyone settled down and since then the spirit of co-operation has been fantastic,” Ms Green said.

Ports North, which operates the marina, is still investigating however no spills from Moatize were reported.

The Queensland government has hit back at sensational reports that it looked into backing out of the 2032 Olympic Games.

The Transport Workers Union spent a massive sum crafting a proposal for Qantas to continue employing thousands of ground staff during the pandemic, a court has been told.

A court has been told the final moments of a refugee who died from a fatal fall while in offshore detention on Manus Island were captured on CCTV.

VIDEO : Out-of-control superyacht crashes into Cairns pier

• X (formerly Twitter)

The massive yacht crushed several smaller boats as it came to a juddering halt at the Cairns Marlin Marina in Queensland.

• Accidents and Emergency Incidents
• Speed Boats
• Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents
• Marine Transport Industry

Stories from ABC News

Epidural myths preventing women from accessing pain relief during childbirth .

Famine 'imminent' in Gaza as Israel faces mounting pressure

Critical skills shortage in aviation industry

Research shows many renters suffer in housing with insufficient cooling

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims election victory

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Superyacht crash video shows 77m Go colliding with Caribbean dock

• Superyachts
• Top stories

Footage has emerged of a 235ft superyacht crashing into a luxury Caribbean yacht club’s pier, causing visible damage to both the yacht and the dock.

Onlookers were shocked last week (February 24) when a 235ft (77m) superyacht collided with the dock of Sint Maarten Yacht Club in the Caribbean.

Video footage of the incident shows the extent of the damage – while the pier took the brunt of it, the superyacht’s steel hull didn’t come off unscathed.

Computer malfunction was to blame for the sickening superyacht crash, according to local publication The Daily Herald , which adds that no-one was injured as a result.

Article continues below…

Boat insurance Q&A: Everything you need to know about why premiums are rising

Video: burning superyacht filmed in us virgin islands.

Footage has emerged of a burning superyacht that caught fire on Tuesday in the US Virgin Islands

The incident took place at around 1015 local time and the newspaper added that an insurer had already been to assess the extent of the damage by the end of the day.

If you think you’re having a bad day at work, spare a thought for the captain and crew who had to explain this situation to their yacht’s owner.

Launched by Turkish yard Turquoise Yachts in 2018, Go features a helipad, gym, jacuzzi, beach club, sauna and hospital as well as a master suite and eight guest cabins styled by London-based studio H2 Yacht Design.

She is run by a crew of up to 18 and her twin 2,575hp Caterpillar 3516C engines give her an estimated top speed of 17 knots.

Revealed: The true cost of running a $3 million superyacht

Pardo gt65 first look: 64 footer with expansive foredeck lounge, how to check your chartplotter’s accuracy, latest videos, parker sorrento yacht tour: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, yamarin 80 dc tour: a new direction for the nordic day cruiser, is this the best compact cruiser money can buy aquador 250 ht tour, exclusive tour of this €1.4million cruiser with a stunning teak interior: solaris power 52 coupé.

Local news:

7NEWS, delivered: Sign up to newsletters

Superyacht crashes into cairns marina as deckhands tell people on wharf to get out of the way.

Cairns crash

This is the incredible moment a multimillion-dollar superyacht went careering into the Cairns Marlin Marina.

Nobody was hurt, but visitors enjoying the sunset ended up with quite a dinner show when the Moatize simply failed to stop as it made its way back to the wharf.

Watch the video above.

Prawn Star runs "ocean to plate" floating restaurants out of the Cairns marina.

The company was upfront about the incident, posting video on its Facebook page on Sunday morning.

"Never a dull moment at the Prawn Star," the post read.

"Everyone was safe but a little shaken after this happened yesterday! Thank you to our amazing crew for handling it so well."

In the video, deckhands can be seen waving frantically, warning people on the wharf.

But there were no injuries and the company is now assessing damage to the pier.

Stream free on

Watch as a $75 million luxury yacht built for Roman Abramovich smashes into a Carribean dock

Sea accidents aren’t exactly uncommon. Unruly weather, inexperienced pilots and the hand of fate often cause even the sturdiest of water vehicles to tumble around and break apart. In a similar turn of events, a luxury Superyacht named – ‘Ecstasea’ recently crashed into a bridge control booth in the Caribbean lagoon of St. Maarten, leaving several shocked across the globe.

View this post on Instagram And then this just happened, thankfully everyone is said to be okay. The exact cause of the accident is still unclear but this is 1 of multiple yachts to have collided with narrow opening of the bridge in the past few years Vid submitted to me an anonymous source. A post shared by Alex J (@theyachtguy) on Dec 15, 2019 at 11:59am PST

In the viral footage clicked by Bystanders on the scene, the entire episode can be seen on record with the clip(s) also capturing how the bridge’s operator jumps off the building in time and makes it to safety. Although the boat itself suffered minimal damage, the control booth structure was majorly destroyed. No casualties have been reported at the scene and the bridge will remain luckily remain operational with immediate effect.

Commenting on the incident, Simpson Bay Lagoon Corporation project manager Bertrand Peters in a statement said, “It was tricky – the vessel had some difficulties. The impact took out the booth but the controls and gear were all intact so the bridge remains fully operational and opening times will not be affected.” Well, all’s well that ends well after all!

[Via: Nzherald ]

You may also like

Aimlessly cruising around the San Diego Bay area, the seized $330 million Amadea superyacht is burning diesel worth thousands of dollars on every trip just so its engines and onboard systems keep running.

This Russian billionaire and an early Facebook investor owns the world’s largest motor yacht – It costs $600 million, has two helipads, a 100-feet swimming pool, and even an onboard garden.

Not a Saudi prince or an oligarch, but it is American video game billionaire Gabe Newell that has an armada of luxury yachts worth around $1 billion. Take a look at his 6 vessels that range from an research vessel, a 365 feet long luxury yacht and even a hospital ship.

Take a look at the $90 million yacht that was seized by the Spanish police and FBI. Belonging to sanctioned aluminum billionaire Viktor Vekselberg the 255-feet long vessel has an endless pool, an outdoor cinema, and even a beauty salon.

Will American billionaire Warren Halle back out from buying the Alfa Nero superyacht just like Eric Schmidt? Yulia Guryeva, the daughter of the sanctioned oligarch who allegedly owns the 269-foot-long vessel, has vowed to relentlessly pursue a legal battle until it is returned to her.

Available for charter at $3.4 million a week – The 446-foot vessel has a two-story spa, a massive dance floor, helipad, and even a cryo chamber.

Is this WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum’s secretive 331-foot-long Feadship superyacht? It bears a striking resemblance to his $220 million Moonrise motoryacht, which is built by the same shipyard. Could this be the fifth addition to his magnificent fleet of vessels?

Anthony Blinken has just sanctioned one of Russia’s richest men – Will the US be able to seize the oligarch’s $300 million megayacht that is docked in full sight in Dubai with its transponders turned on?

Pics – With a movie room, hammam style spa, beach club, and a helipad – This ultra luxurious 300 feet superyacht will soon be available for charter at $2 million a week

WATCH: Billionaire’s $90 Million Yacht Crashes Into Dock

By Jason Hall

March 1, 2021

A super yacht owned by Capri Sun juice tycoon Hans Peter Wild crashed into a dock at in Simpson Bay, St. Marten last week.

The 235-foot vessel experienced a computer malfunction before crashing into a wooden jetty and concrete dock, causing significant damage last Wednesday (February 24), Daily Mail reports.

It was unclear whether Wild, 79, was on board at the time of the crash. The juice tycoon is valued at $3.3 billion, according to Forbes .

Footage of the crash showed the turquoise super yacht GO -- which includes a helipad, gym steam room, swimming pool and its own onboard hospital -- slowly travel through the dock, which includes one clip of an onlooker repeatedly saying "oh my God" as the crash happens.

In a separate clip, a witness is heard saying: "It's hitting concrete now. What's going on?"

It has not yet been determined how much it will cost to repair the super yacht or the dock, but a manager for the yacht club expects the process to last several months, Daily Mail reports.

The yacht's captain was attempting to leave the Simpson Bay Lagoon when the crash took place at 10:15 a.m. on February 24. St. Maarten Yacht Club was been closed in response to the incident.

No injuries were reported during the crash.

Photo: Getty Images

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

By SuperyachtNews 03 Mar 2021

Go’s captain discusses St. Maarten collision

Captain simon johnson has spoken to local media about the moments leading up to the incident….

Following the  collision of 77m motoryacht  Go  into a dock in St. Maarten on Wednesday 24 February, 2021, the yacht’s captain has spoken exclusively to The Daily Herald to set the record straight and describe the moments prior to the yacht’s sudden control malfunction during the crucial minutes of the line-up procedure to exit Simpson Bay Lagoon.

According to the report, the yacht’s software failed Captain Simon Johnson at the worst possible moment, leading to his choosing a deliberate impact with the St. Maarten Yacht Club wooden dock to avoid a worse scenario. A second run-in to the dock was then said to be caused by, yet again, a computer miscommunication between the bridge and engine room in a bid to regain control. 

“Johnson confirmed that the yacht’s insurance assessors are progressing well in their survey of all the damage sustained to the boat, which is minimal, and the dock, and are engaged to set things right,” The Daily Herald reports. “The root causes of the malfunction have not yet been definitively identified and an intensive investigation is underway while the yacht remains at Ile de Sol Marina.”

Captain Johnson told the newspaper about the moments leading up to the incident; “We left the dock an hour before and went through all the checks. There was nothing different from the other times we’ve done this exit… Then, when we were about 50 metres away and holding position, the yacht started moving mysteriously forward. There was nothing I seemed to be able to do; all the controls on the bridge were showing normal. I called the engine room and everything was normal down there.” 

With extremely limited control and the yacht approaching the bridge, Johnson said he had to think fast, deciding that the preferred option was to point the bow towards the yacht club dock and beach her gently there, with a crewmember up front to ensure everyone was out of the way.

Johnson added that he is troubled by the incident; “The fact that there were no warning alarms, no lights on board to indicate something was wrong was really scary. I know this yacht so well, yet I had 13 seconds to make a decision before hitting the bridge. The decision I made was one I would make again if faced with the same circumstances.”

He also criticised modern electronics as getting “ridiculously over the top”, with no manual overrides or back-ups if something goes wrong. “Questions have to be asked in this industry about what’s going on; who is building these boats, who is designing them, who is supervising them, and why we aren’t being asked what we (captains) need to operate them,” he said.

The full interview can be read via The Daily Herald here .

Join the discussion

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Related news

77m Go crashes into dock in St. Maarten

Reports suggest the yacht lost its steering as it was leaving its berth in Simpson Bay

VIDEO: Enigma on fire in Langkawi

Images shared by a captain in the area showed 75m Enigma on fire in Langkawi, a video has now emerged online

MAIB publishes accident report into Vision and Minx collision

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch looks into the lessons learned from the fatal 2019 incident

Feadship W damaged by fire

The incident occurred in Bahia Mar Marina in Fort Lauderdale

Update: owner of ‘My Song’ seeks compensation for loss of yacht

Peters & May address this latest development following the loss of the yacht from a cargo ship last year

3 years ago

4 years ago

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

Watch This Uncontrollable Superyacht Repeatedly Crash Into A Dock

The boat certainly did as its ironic name implied: "Go."

You're not likely to see much attention devoted to yachts on a site mostly dedicated to more land-based vehicles unless they involve Rolls-Royce developing a 2,000 horsepower engine or Lamborghini rolling out a luxury watercraft . On the other hand, crashes of any kind of mobile technology tend to draw a slew of sticky eyeballs, in much the way most of us rubberneck while passing a collision on a freeway. Case in point is this misadventure involving a yacht with the ironic moniker "Go," which did as its name implied by plowing into a couple of docks in St. Maarten's Simpson Bay late February.

This Yacht Nearly Took Out A Smaller Boat

It all started when the 250-foot boat was cruising into the port of the Isle de Sol Marina trying to depart from Simpson Bay for a leisurely cruise of the Caribbean. But the situation was far from idyllic when the boat suddenly lurched forward, swerved to miss a boat on the port side, and slammed into the wooden dock.

RELATED:  Rolls-Royce Awards 9-Year-Old For Designing This Extravagant Land Yacht

When it backed out, the damage appeared to be minimal with little more than scuff marks on a few panels on the yacht's bow. The same couldn't be said for the dock which took out a small section and left a huge gouge in another.

Boat Causes Another Collision

Just as inexplicably, the Yacht powered its engines and moved forward once again. This time, the massive boat wasn't so lucky.

"It's gonna hit concrete on this one," said one calm, but concerned onlooker.

Sure enough, after demolishing a smaller, low-level wooden section, the port side grazed the corner of the more solid foundation, emitting a sound resembling nails on a chalkboard. Pulling away once again, the yacht sported a sizeable indentation on its side.

"Maybe get a bumper sticker that says 'Stupid Driver!'" yelled out one woman at people on the damaged craft.

Yacht Crash Under Investigation

As it turned out, human error wasn't responsible for the mishap. Initially, investigators thought the crash was caused by a faulty computer, but additional reports revealed that the yacht ran into some gear from a nearby sailboat, which locked up the rudder. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. But the dock was a total write-off requiring several weeks of repairs.

Source: Megayacht News ,  YouTube

NEXT: Here's How Much It Cost To Build The World's Most Expensive Luxury Yacht Azzam

• South Sound News
• North Sound News
• 7-Day Forecast
• Hour by Hour
• School Closings
• Pet Walk Forecast
• Weather 24/7 Stream
• Live Stream
• KIRO 24/7 News
• Weather 24/7
• KIRO 7 Live Studio (Opens in new window)
• The $pend $mart Stream
• Law & Crime
• Curiosity NOW
• KIRO 7 Investigates
• Cash Card Giveaway
• Seattle Seahawks
• Seattle Mariners
• Seattle Kraken
• Seattle Sounders
• Seattle Storm
• College Sports
• High School Football
• On Home Ice
• KIRO 7 Live Studio
• Discover Northwest
• Healthier Together
• Woodland Park Zoo (Opens in new window)
• Your Voices
• KIRO 7 CARES
• Washington Grown
• Back to School
• Seattle Pride 2023
• Share Your Pics!
• Steals and Deals
• Jesse Jones
• KIRO 7 Apps
• Newsletter Sign-ups (Opens in new window)
• KIRO 7 News Team
• Submit a news tip
• KIRO 7 TV Schedule
• Advertise With Us
• Closed Captioning
• KIRO 7 FCC EEO Report (Opens in new window)
• KIRO 7 Public File (Opens in new window)
• Visitor Agreement
• Privacy Policy
• Telemundo Seattle (Opens in new window)
• Jobs at KIRO 7 (Opens in new window)

Yacht crashes into docks, hits several boats in Port Angeles

Credit: Clallam County Sheriff's Office

PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Deputies are investigating after a 125-foot yacht crashed into docks and hit several boats Monday morning.

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office said at about 8:15 a.m., Capt. Steve Peckham had moored the Westport Yacht at a fuel dock in the Port Angeles Boat Haven for fueling.

**NEWS RELEASE - YACHT COLLISION** On 10-07-2019 at approximately 0815 hours Captain Steve Peckham, a Westport Yacht... Posted by Clallam County Sheriff's Office on  Monday, October 7, 2019

Investigators said the mooring lines were secured to the dock but the fueling hadn't started when the vessel suddenly accelerated.

The yacht crashed into several docks and at least seven other boats, deputies said.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

• Three-alarm fire destroys string of Ballard businesses, injures one firefighter
• WhyHotel opens in Seattle, offering pop-up concept that's expanding across the country
• Government says rainbow crosswalks could be unsafe
• Woman managed to get past security and onto Delta flight
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at [email protected]

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP 

The dock and boats were damaged.

Damages are estimated to likely exceed $100,000.

Investigators said alcohol and drugs are not suspected and there were no injuries.

Six crew members, including the captain, were on the yacht during the time of the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group

Chateau Ste. Michelle reveals 2024 summer concert lineup

How recent real estate settlement will impact buyers and sellers

Eastbound SR 18 blocked at Green River near Auburn after semi hits bridge

WSP stops driver going 161 mph in Kennewick

‘Her life was helping others’: Family shares life of victim killed in Central District shooting

• Breaking News
• University Guide
• Meghan Markle
• Prince Harry
• King Charles III

Frightening moment a multimillion-dollar superyacht crashes into a marina - sending panicked onlookers running to get out of the way

• A 45 meter superyacht has been captured crashing into Cairns Marlin marina
• The vessel had a mechanical mishap, locking one engine on full speed ahead
• The boat named Moatize crashed into a restaurant in front of a group of diners
• Moatize has a damaged bow, and the marinas gangplank also has damage 

By Jackson Barron For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:36 EST, 11 August 2019 | Updated: 05:21 EST, 11 August 2019

View comments

A massive superyacht has crashed into a marina - sending onlookers running to avoid being hit.

The superyacht - named Moatize - went speeding into Cairns Marlin marina on Saturday night, with crew aboard the boat calling out to warn people to get out of the way.

The vessel charged into the port heading straight for the Prawn Star Cairns floating trawler restaurant, sending diners rushing out of their seats.

A 45 meter superyacht named Moatize (pictured) crashed into Cairns Marlin marina

Moatize  slammed into the E arm at the marina, damaging the bow of the ship and the marina gangplank. 

No one was injured in the crash.

The superyacht was attempting to berth in the marina, when a mechanical mishap caused one engine to lose power while the other was locked at full speed ahead.

A shallow mud bank was able to slow Moatize down before it hit the port, reducing the impact of the crash.

The vessel also hit some smaller boats on the way in through the harbour. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

The Prawn Star Cairns posted a video of the crash to their Facebook page, and have since moved the restaurant to the next arm along the marina line.

'Never a dull moment at the Prawn Star. Everyone was safe but a little shaken after this happened yesterday!' the post reads.

'Thank you to our amazing crew for handling it so well.'  

 The superyacht (pictured) has a damaged bow and also damaged the marina gangplank

• Update Your Browser | Facebook

Share or comment on this article: Terrifying moment a multimillion dollar superyacht crashes into a marina sending onlookers running

Most watched news videos.

• Public gather in London to view suspected Banksy art work
• Shocking moment crocodile handler is attacked and bitten
• 'I could write a whole book on it': Peter Andre on Louis Walsh
• Women claim they were kicked off their flight due to their size
• Ekin-Su is a no-show on 'Lorraine,' much to host's surprise
• Horror scenes after man falls to death from hot air balloon in VIC
• Bodycam shows Riley Strain speaking to cops night he went missing
• Fleeing suspect drives into the Pacific Ocean during pursuit
• Antiques Roadshow guest receives huge valuation for statue
• Furious locals slam councils orders to remove 'inappropriate' flag
• Tallulah Willis with dad Bruce at the Premiere of 'The Whole Ten Yards'
• Vicious teen brawl broken up by SoCal cops before mall shut down

Comments 20

Share what you think

• Worst rated

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Femail Today

• Follow DailyMail
• Subscribe Daily Mail
• Follow @dailymail
• Follow MailOnline
• Follow Daily Mail

From the Makers of Candy Crush

• Back to top

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

This surprising symptom could be an early sign of dementia

I dropped 4 dress sizes and 50 pounds — thanks to this...

We were removed from a plane due to our size — flight...

I'm a dietitian — these are the best snacks to help you lose...

Dear Abby: I want to tell off all of the guests who RSVP'd but...

Toss out these 6 popular ultra-processed foods now, nutritionist...

New weight loss pill helps shed weight twice as fast as Ozempic

No-shampoo trend growing in popularity with teen boys — despite...

Breaking news, superyacht plows into bridge on sint maarten.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Fail the high seas.

A superyacht sailed into a bridge on the Caribbean island Sint Maarten on Sunday, fully ripping off the jutted-out observation station from one side of the open drawbridge, reports The Daily Mail .

“What the f–k man,” an observer can be heard saying in a video of the incident, as the tower crashes into the Simpson Bay Lagoon below.

In other onlookers’ footage , people can be seen running from a dock adjacent to the tower.

No one appears to have been hurt, including a man next to the drawbridge tower, who was able to run to safety. The yacht, called the Ecstasea, received minor damage.

According to yacht hobbyist site Superyacht Fan , the vessel is 282 feet long and features a movie theater, multiple bars and a spa. Currently owned by Pakistani billionaire Alshair Fiyaz, the ship was built for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for $120 million in 2004.

Despite the tower’s destruction, the bridge it controlled remains functional, Boat International reports .

The slim channel the Ecstasea attempted to navigate through is a notoriously treacherous path for large boats, comments one prolific yachting Instagram account. “[This] is 1 of multiple yachts to have collided with narrow opening of the bridge in the past few years,” they captioned a video of the incident.

Share this article:

Watch CBS News

Huge cruise ship plows into dock in Venice; at least 5 injured

Updated on: June 2, 2019 / 4:36 PM EDT / AP

Venice, Italy — A towering, out-of-control cruise ship rammed into a dock and a tourist river boat on a busy Venice canal Sunday morning, injuring at least five tourists, officials said. The collision sparked new calls for placing restrictions on cruise ships in the famed but strained tourist city.

The crash happened about 8:30 a.m. local time on the Giudecca Canal, a major thoroughfare that leads to St. Mark's Square in the northeastern Italian city.

The MSC Opera cruise ship, apparently unable to stop, blared its horn as it slammed into the much smaller river boat and the dock as dozens of people run away in panic. In videos of the crash, people were seen rushing to disembark from the moored riverboat over a short gangplank, and at least two people were left caught on the walkway as the vessel was dislodged from the pier.

#Venezia #VIDEO la nave da crociera #Opera di @MSC_Crociere fuori controllo ha speronato stamattina il battello fluviale #Michelangelo e la banchina. Qualcuno ci spiegherà perché le navi che salvano vite sono sotto sequestro, mentre queste #grandinavi sono libere di far danni. pic.twitter.com/mSyhCMvvZc — Beppe Caccia (@beppecaccia) June 2, 2019

Elisabetta Pasqualin was watering plants on her terrace when she heard warning sirens and stepped out to see the crash.

"There was this huge ship in a diagonal position in the Giudecca Canal, with a tugboat near which seemed like it couldn't do anything," she said.

She described the ship "advancing slowly but inevitably towards the dock." She said "the bow of the ship crashed hard into the bank with its massive weight crushing a big piece of it. Sirens were wailing loudly; it was a very dramatic scene."

When the cruise ship rammed the river boat, she said the smaller vessel looked like it was "made of plastic or paper" rather than steel.

Local officials said five women aboard the riverboat were injured. They said one was released immediately from a hospital, while four others were advised to remain under medical care for a few days.

Earlier, medical authorities said four of the women - an American, a New Zealander and two Australians between the ages of 67 and 72 — were injured falling or trying to run away when the cruise ship rammed into the River Countess.

Venice is a tremendously popular site for both tourists and cruise ships, especially during the summer tourist season.

The cruise ship's owner, MSC Cruises, said the ship, the MSC Opera, was about to dock at a passenger terminal in Venice when it had a mechanical problem. Two tugboats guiding the cruise ship into Venice tried to stop the massive cruise ship, but they were unable to prevent it from ramming into the river boat.

"The two tugboats tried to stop the giant and then a tow cable broke, cut by the collision with the river boat," Davide Calderan, president of a tugboat association in Venice, told the Italian news agency ANSA.

Calderan said the cruise ship's engine was locked when the captain called for help.

Following the collision, calls for banning cruise ships in Venice, long a source of contention in the over-extended tourist city, were renewed.

For many, the crash served as a wake-up call. Opponents say cruise ships are out-of-scale for Venice, cause pollution, endanger the lagoon's ecosystem and a danger.

"Obviously, we've seen today that our worst fears have come true," said Jane Da Mosto, an environmental scientist and executive director of We Are Here Venice. Her group backs efforts to ban cruise ships from Venice.

"There were 111 people on the river cruise boat that the big ship crashed into. They could have all died," she said. She said the cruise ship could have plowed through the concrete embankment and "hit houses, monuments and crowds of people."

"The port authority, the government ministers, the other institutions have often tried to ridicule the resistance movement against the cruise ships, saying that an accident like this could never occur," she added. "The government shouldn't be so weak in giving in to the pressure of the lobby groups, like the cruise ship companies."

The collision came four days after a river cruise ship collided with a sightseeing boat carrying South Korean tourists in Hungary's capital, killing seven and leaving 21 others missing.

Not everyone in Venice is opposed to the cruise ships. Pasqualin, the woman who witnessed the collision, counted herself among those prior to Sunday's crash.

"I've always been positive about the ships, but I have to admit I've started to change my mind now, because this was a tragic, terrible and dramatic scene," she said.

Italian officials said the collision underscored the need to ban cruise ships from using the busy Giudecca Canal, but they stopped short of calling for a ban on cruise ships.

"Today's accident in the port of Venice proves that cruise ships shouldn't be allowed to pass down the Giudecca anymore," said Danilo Toninelli, Italy's transport minister. "After many years of inertia, we are finally close to a solution to protect both the lagoon and tourism."

The MSC Opera was built in 2004. It can carry over 2,675 passengers in 1,071 cabins. According to its sailing schedule, it left Venice on May 26 and traveled to Kotor, Montenegro, and Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu in Greece before returning Sunday to Venice.

More from CBS News

2 dead, 5 wounded in mass shooting in Washington, D.C., police say

Man falls to death from hot-air balloon; passengers "traumatized"

Israel pushes back at mounting U.S., European criticism over Gaza war

U.S. government charter flights to evacuate citizens from Haiti