The 76.4-metre research vessel Petrel has become dislodged from her holding and listed at a 45-degree angle on her starboard side in a dry dock in Leith, Edinburgh. The incident occurred as a result of strong winds at around 8.35am this morning (Wednesday 22 March) and emergency services have been dispatched to the site at Imperial Dock.
According to BOATPro, the research vessel, which was formerly owned by Paul Allen, had been on the dock since October 2022.
A statement by Jacquie Campbell, chief officer of acute services at NHS Lothian, indicated that a number of injuries had been reported, with initial reports suggesting 25 injured and 15 in hospital.
"We're on standby to receive a number of patients at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh's A&E department following a major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith. We have been reviewing the current capacity at the RIE, with support from other sites, to prepare to accommodate these patients," read the statement.
The statement went on: "Given the expected pressure on the site, we urge people not to attend A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh unless it's an emergency."
Major incident at Leith dry dock. pic.twitter.com/0d709Y5G60
— Tomahawk⭐️⭐️ (@Tomafc83) March 22, 2023
Toppled ship at leith dock pic.twitter.com/xtyUzrAfxr
— Matt Copeland (@matteratzi1995) March 22, 2023
SNP Councillor for Leith, Adam McVey, attributed the incident to strong winds. "Emergency services are responding to a major incident at Leith docks- a ship has been dislodged from its holding in strong winds. Terrifying for those on board, my thoughts are with those who’ve [sic] been injured," he tweeted.
Petrel was formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and used as a private research vessel. Allen owned several expedition yachts during his lifetime, including the 126-metre Octopus and 94-metre Tatoosh.