The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has closed its inquiry into the Ro-Pax ferry Stena Estrid after the vessel punctured its hull against an unprotected jetty fender at Holyhead Port in Wales.
Occurring at 07:50 on January 7, 2026, the contact caused roughly 500 tonnes of water to flood into the starboard engine room alongside an unquantified ingress into an adjacent void space.
Carrying 91 passengers, 66 crew members, and 95 vehicles from Dublin, the vessel sustained breaches below the waterline in the engine space and above the waterline on the cargo deck upon contacting the northern extent of Terminal 3.
Crew members brought the flooding under control by shoring up the damaged hull, pumping out incoming water, and transferring ballast to list the ship to port before safely discharging all vehicles and travellers.
Temporary repairs enabled the ferry to proceed under its own power to dry dock in Liverpool, while the terminal resumed operations that evening following an inspection confirming no significant jetty damage.
According to findings released by the safety agency, the vessel approached the berth faster than anticipated because of its positioning after turning and strong westerly winds measuring force six to seven.
Investigators also noted that the turning fender lacked rubber cushioning and displayed several sharp face-plate protrusions of which the bridge team had no prior awareness, despite a July 2025 notice advising mariners to avoid it.
Conflicting communications between the bridge and the assisting tug further hampered the manoeuvre while operating within established port parameters.
Following the accident, ferry manager Stena Line lowered operating limits for its vessels calling at Holyhead and instructed deck officers to report closing distances strictly. Port operator Stena Line Ports removed the protruding metal brackets and initiated terminal infrastructure improvements scheduled for completion by October 2026.
