THE Swansea-Cork ferry collided with a fishing boat in Cork Harbour early yesterday morning, causing it to overturn.
The ferry was entering the harbour channel near Roches Point at 6.20 a.m. when its radar indicated that another vessel was in the area.
Three attempts were made using different radio frequencies to contact the trawler as the ferry, with more than 700 passengers on board, proceeded towards it. The ship's siren was also sounded several times in an attempt to alert the trawler.
According to a spokesman for Swansea-Cork Ferries, the ferry was about to pass the trawler when it suddenly veered into the path of the ferry and there was a collision. The trawler had a crew of three, and after the collision it rolled over in the water but righted itself almost immediately.
It had taken water on board, and pumps had to be used to clear the water and enable it to proceed to Crosshaven for an assessment of the damage, which was said to be slight.
The Port of Cork Authority said that none of the crew, wh9 remained on board after the incident, had been injured. A spokesman added that an investigation into the accident would begin immediately.
After the collision, the ferry contacted the LE Orla, which was in the area, and it sent a dinghy to help with the trawler's pumping operation.
Two hours before the collision occurred as the ferry was nearing its Ringaskiddy berth in Cork Harbour, one of its passengers had suffered a heart attack and was in need of urgent medical attention.
Swansea-Cork Ferries said the company was satisfied that all the correct procedures had been followed by the ferry and that its calls to the trawler had been recorded and could be verified.