What Crew Members Say About Stena-Estrid

On January 9, the ferry 'Stena Estrid' departed Holyhead after undergoing temporary repairs for damage sustained from an allision on its starboard side. The vessel made its way to Cammel Lairds Shipyard located in Birkenhead, Liverpool, where it was set to undergo permanent repairs during an expected drydocking in Dock No. 5 (Princess Dock). Accompanied by the tugs 'Svitzer Elizabeth ASD' and 'Svitzer Amazonas ASD', the ship entered the dry dock, where experts could attend to the visible damage, which was notably marked above the waterline. Following thorough repairs, the works were completed on January 18, enabling 'Stena Estrid' to resume its journey towards Belfast.

The Port of Holyhead was temporarily shut down on January 7, 2026, due to a significant incident involving the 'Stena Estrid'. The ferry collided with a concrete structure while attempting to dock, prompting immediate action from authorities. The vessel, which had embarked from Dublin at 4:30 a.m., was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. The passengers onboard were safely disembarked, and investigations into the allision commenced promptly. In light of the disruption, ferry operators have reached out to affected travelers. Irish Ferries anticipates a return to normal operations by the afternoon, with services expected to resume by 5:30 p.m. GMT. Unfortunately, the 'Stena Estrid' incurred damage to its starboard side, requiring repairs after being relocated from berth 3. Consequently, its scheduled return trip to Dublin at 4:30 p.m. was canceled, with the 'Stena Nordica' stepping in to provide service later in the evening. As of January 8, the 'Stena Estrid' remained stationary in Holyhead while repair plans move forward. The port operates both Terminal 3 and Terminal 5; however, Terminal 5 has been out of commission since an incident in December 2025 involving another ferry. Inclement weather has caused delays in underwater surveys, but repair work is anticipated to start within January. In the interim, both Stena Line and Irish Ferries are utilizing Terminal 3, with revised timetables allowing for both services to operate from a single location. However, with Terminal 3 currently unavailable, no vessels can dock at the port.

A tragic incident unfolded aboard the 'Stena Estrid' on January 20, 2024, when a male passenger fell overboard during its journey from Belfast to Birkenhead. The alarm was raised in the early hours, prompting immediate action from emergency services including Merseyside Police, HM Coastguard, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. A comprehensive search commenced shortly after 8 a.m. to locate the missing individual. By around 11 a.m., the man was successfully airlifted from the water and transported to a hospital for medical care. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of medical personnel, the 44-year-old man from North Wales later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities, including Merseyside Police, have stated that while investigations are ongoing, the circumstances surrounding his death are not considered suspicious. A file has been submitted to the coroner's office, and the man's next of kin have been notified of the unfortunate development.

A significant search effort commenced off the coast of Wexford after a male passenger was believed to have fallen overboard from the 'Stena Estrid' on April 4, 2022, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The ferry was making its route from Cherbourg to Rosslare Europort at the time. Concerns were raised by the man's fellow travelers, prompting an immediate response. All 206 passengers and 57 crew members were held at port for a full accounting of individuals aboard the vessel. With the finding of the man’s personal items, ship officials speculated that he most likely went overboard and promptly alerted emergency services. Shortly after 11 a.m., lifeboats from Rosslare and Kilmore Quay were deployed, retracing the ship's journey prior to its docking at Rosslare. The Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter also took to the skies, conducting sweeping aerial searches along the coastline. Meanwhile, RNLI volunteers have been tirelessly continuing their search efforts off the Tuskar Rock area. As time dwindled, hopes of a successful recovery began to fade. The local Coast Guard and Gardaí have been notified and were actively assisting in the ongoing operation.

The 'Stena Estrid' faced unexpected repairs just prior to her inaugural journey on January 13. After completing a lengthy 10,000 nautical mile journey from the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China to Holyhead port, leaks were discovered in over 20 of the vessel's windows. Stena Line officials reported that seals needed to be replaced on between 20 and 30 windows late last week. This issue, although not critical enough to prevent sailing, was addressed promptly while the ship awaited clearance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The minor leaks, described as the windows 'weeping,' were rectified to ensure the ship was ready for her debut at sea.