The DFDS-owned Sirena Seaways could be back in service next week after hitting a quay while docking.
The ferry, which sails from Harwich, England to Esbjerg in Denmark, has been out of action since the incident at Parkeston Quay on Saturday (22nd) and sailings between the ports have also been suspended.
After the incident, the 23,000-tonne ship began listing to port and letting in water. Crew plugged the hole in the vessel’s hull from inside and built a compartment with watertight doors to stem the leak.
Lifeboats and coastguard vessels were launched and an RAF search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.
Almost 500 passengers were on board – the ferry can hold a total of 623 passengers and 423 cars. There were no reported injuries and no pollution from the incident.
After the incident, DFDS said it did not know why the vessel had struck the quayside which was also damaged in the incident.
Repairs have been taking place in dry dock which a spokesman for DFDS said could be completed by Saturday.
A team from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been at the port conducting preliminary enquiries into how the accident happened.
