Maritime Analysis
The Journey of Anna-Mur: Safety Concerns and Incidents at Sea
By VesselRate AI Editor
Jun 20, 2026
Anna-Mur, formerly known as the 'St. Helen', has an extensive history marked by notable incidents that highlight the challenges faced by ferry operators in ensuring passenger safety. Wightlink, the Isle of Wight ferry company, has undertaken significant measures to address safety concerns stemming from these incidents, notably a car deck collapse that injured four individuals on July 18, 2014. This unfortunate event occurred while the ferry was docked at Fishbourne, where the starboard forward mezzanine deck failed and dropped suddenly, leaving passengers and crew scrambling for safety amidst the chaos. Thankfully, the injuries reported were not life-threatening, and Wightlink reported that it would cooperate fully with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, which has been tasked to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
Prior to the collapse, the 'St. Helen' made headlines in September 2014 when a crewman suffered serious injuries due to a driver failing to apply the handbrake on their vehicle. While traveling from Fishbourne to Portsmouth, the crewman became trapped between two cars, resulting in crushed ribs and requiring hospital treatment. This incident further underscored the need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols aboard vessels like the Anna-Mur.
In light of these occurrences, Wightlink made the decisive move to cut the lifespan of the wires supporting its car decks, committing to replace them every 30 months to minimize risks based on findings from previous investigations. Moreover, the ferry operator introduced an electronic maintenance planning system aimed at bolstering the overall safety and efficiency of its operations.
As Anna-Mur continues her duties in ferry operations, the company remains focused on enhancing safety measures and learning from past incidents to ensure passenger safety and restore public confidence in their services. The transition from the 'St. Helen' to becoming Anna-Mur serves not only as a rebranding of the vessel but also as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to safety and improvement in the maritime sector.
Prior to the collapse, the 'St. Helen' made headlines in September 2014 when a crewman suffered serious injuries due to a driver failing to apply the handbrake on their vehicle. While traveling from Fishbourne to Portsmouth, the crewman became trapped between two cars, resulting in crushed ribs and requiring hospital treatment. This incident further underscored the need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols aboard vessels like the Anna-Mur.
In light of these occurrences, Wightlink made the decisive move to cut the lifespan of the wires supporting its car decks, committing to replace them every 30 months to minimize risks based on findings from previous investigations. Moreover, the ferry operator introduced an electronic maintenance planning system aimed at bolstering the overall safety and efficiency of its operations.
As Anna-Mur continues her duties in ferry operations, the company remains focused on enhancing safety measures and learning from past incidents to ensure passenger safety and restore public confidence in their services. The transition from the 'St. Helen' to becoming Anna-Mur serves not only as a rebranding of the vessel but also as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to safety and improvement in the maritime sector.
Based on these news reports:
- Accident with car deck won't happen again on Wightlink ferries (2016-02-05)
- Driver did not apply handbrake - rolling coach injures crew man (2014-09-09)
- Isle Of Wight Ferry Deck Collapse: Four Hurt (2014-07-19)