Poor management and mobile phone distraction contributed to a collision between a container vessel and iconic sailing ship Leeuwin II that caused significant damage and injured two crew.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released its report into the August 2024 incident on Monday, just days after the 1850s-style sail-training ship sailed back into Fremantle Port following extensive repairs.

The 333-metre Singapore-flagged Maersk Shekou was being navigated into Fremantle by two harbour pilots and four tug boats in stormy, windy conditions when the collision occurred.

The transport safety bureau found the pilot did not provide the helmsman with a course alteration instruction, the bridge team did not adequately monitor the process and the secondary pilot "was occupied in non-essentia

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