Vintage MV Balmoral Crashes Into West Cowes Pontoon
The MV Balmoral, a vintage excursion ship and former Red Funnel ferry, slammed into the West Cowes Pontoon this afternoon. The collision happened at 1:02pm while the vessel was carrying passengers on a day trip to the Isle of Wight.
Significant Damage to Pontoon After Bow-First Impact
The historic 1949 ship hit the floating pontoon bow-first as it approached the mooring off The Parade on Cowes esplanade. The pontoon suffered serious damage in the crash, though the extent of harm to the Balmoral itself remains unknown.
Was Captain At Fault?
Eyewitness Peter Sewell suggests the captain either didn’t spot the obstruction or lost control manoeuvring between the pontoon and breakwater amid an incoming tide.
“The vessel hit bow first as if the captain was unaware of the obstruction or simply could not control the ship,” Sewell said.
