UK MAIB closes probe into Stena Line ferry hull breach at Holyhead

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.