Ferry damaged in collision with obstruction

The "Moby Niki" hit an obstruction near Palmaiola island on Dec 11 around noon while en route from Piombino to Portoferraio. Apparently she was in collision with something floating on the water, perhaps a big tree. There were no consequences for the crew and the 138 passengers, but the hull suffered damage. The ship was able to continue the voyage to the port of Portoferraio where she moored at the south pier 3 and disembarked the vehicles and passengers. The port captain and additional personnel from the Elbanian Coastguard went on board the ferry which was banned from sailing, to carry out the investigations of the case and acquire more information on the incident. Military personnel sent down divers who inspected the hull. Oil booms were laid out in order to avoid any potential danger of port water pollution. Repeated patrols wre carried out by the patrol boat "CP 553" and a rubber boat to make sure that there was no spillage in the water. The cause of the accident was being assessed by the Port Authority of Portoferraio.