‘PERFECT STORM’ LED TO DISASTER

HOLYHEAD Marina was destroyed by a “treacherous mix” of spring tides and hurricane-force north-easterly winds, experts have revealed.

Storm Emma’s 70mph gusts whipped up 10 feet waves in the normally sheltered harbour on Friday – wrecking or sinking 85 boats and causing millions of pounds worth of damage.

A “catastrophic failure” left the marina unable to protect moored boats and a “turbulent backwash” was created by the breakwater.

Floating pontoons broke free from their moorings in the unprecedented conditions, and vessels were washed ashore at the western end of Holyhead’s outer harbour.

Among the stricken vessels were fishing boats and a number of commercial craft belonging to Turbine Transfers, Holyhead Towing and the UK Border Force.

Turbine Transfers said five of their Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), each worth millions of pounds, and one able to retrieve the UK Border Force vessel, Active, that had also beached following the storm, as well as three other private vessels.”

The company added: “A treacherous mix of spring tides, hurricane force winds and a north-easterly wind direction resulted in 3m waves within the normally sheltered harbour, coupled with backwash from the breakwater.”

Transfer Turbine’s general manager Dylan Jones said two of their vessels had been due to start contracts.

He said: “We are bringing one of our boats over from the Netherlands to cover Gwynt y Môr and another from Lowestoft for Liverpool Bay.”

Mr Jones said the firm was continuing to assess the extent of the damage, adding: “Obviously we are insured but at this stage the cost is difficult to estimate. What we can say is it is significant.”

A tanker is being used to remove polystyrene from the water and a crane company has been drafted in to help lift stricken vessels.

Martin Davies, operations manager at Rhuddlan-based Bob Francis Crane Hire, said: “Yesterday, we had a 200tonne capacity crane and a 220-tonne capacity crane on site, along with three teams helping with the salvage effort.

“We managed to remove four boats and were still lifting at 2am. Today, we are using one crane to try to rescue as many pontoons as we can.”

Mr Davies said company owner Mark Francis lost a fishing boat that was moored at the marina. “His boat was completely sunk,” said Mr Davies.

A spokesperson for Stena Line Ports said: “We are working very closely with the marina and all relevant external agencies to ensure that the Storm Emma clean-up operation progresses as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“As a result of the initial plastic pollution more booms have now been deployed to help contain the spread of plastic contamination.

“The process of removing the polystyrene contaminant by the use of a tanker will commence this afternoon (yesterday).”