Seven still in hospital after US Navy research ship toppled in dry dock

A major incident was declared after the Petrel tipped over on Wednesday morning in Leith, Edinburgh.

The Petrel toppled on to its side at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Seven people remain in hospital after a US Navy ship tipped over in a dry dock, leaving 35 people injured.

A major incident was declared as police, ambulances, the fire service and coastguard were called to a report that a ship had become dislodged from its holding at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, at about 8.35am on Wednesday.

The Petrel, owned by the US Navy and operated by Oceaneering International, was left leaning at a 45-degree angle in the dry dock.

NHS Lothian received 21 patients, with 17 treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) and four at the Western General Hospital (WGH), while two people were taken to hospital in Fife.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said a further 12 people were treated and discharged at the scene, where it had sent 12 ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams and other resources.

NHS Lothian said on Thursday afternoon: “Five people remain in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh following the major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, and our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by this incident.”

All other casualties being treated in NHS Lothian have been discharged from hospital.

NHS Fife said on Thursday morning two patients remain in its hospitals.

The Petrel, a 76m (250ft) research vessel, was previously bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and was sold by his estate in 2022.

People working at the dock described the incident as “so scary”.

James Walsh, 39, a scaffolder on the docks, was working nearby when he heard the noise of the incident.

He said: “It’s scary. Very scary. Just makes you evaluate everything really.

“No-one goes to work to be involved in any kind of accident.

“It’s so scary that you go to work and something like that can possibly happen.”

A wind speed of 38mph was recorded in Edinburgh at 8am on Wednesday while a 44mph gust was recorded at 9am, according to Met Office data.

Investigations into the incident are under way and Police Scotland said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed.

An HSE spokesman said on Thursday: “We will have inspectors at the scene today to begin an investigation into this incident, working with Police Scotland.”

A US Navy spokesman said: “We are working closely with the on-site authorities, who are in the best position to help those in need and to provide status updates.

“We will continue to communicate with our contacts at the scene in order to understand what occurred, the actions being taken, and the long-term impacts.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and their families, with hopes for a quick and full recovery.”

He said the vessel is a “multi-purpose maritime operations ship” owned by the US Navy and operated by Oceaneering International and is “capable of supporting oceanographic surveys”.

Dales Marine Services, which runs the dry dock, said on Wednesday it was “liaising with the emergency services and relevant authorities” in dealing with the incident.

Mr Allen bought the ship to locate historically significant shipwrecks and it discovered around 30 sunken warships, including the Japanese Imperial Navy’s IJN Musashi.

The Petrel has been moored at Leith since September 3, 2020 due to “operational challenges” from the pandemic, according to a statement on the vessel’s social media page.