A Sydney ferry carrying 149 passengers struck a pylon while arriving at Circular Quay on Monday afternoon, leaving four people injured and disrupting services across the harbour.
Emergency services were called shortly after 4.30pm on 7 September 2026 following the incident involving the ferry Balmoral.
Paramedics treated two people with minor injuries at the scene. Two other passengers were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for further assessment, including a man reported to have suffered cuts to his head.
Investigation under way
NSW Police said the ferry’s master and engineer underwent mandatory testing as initial inquiries began. The incident is expected to be referred to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for further investigation.
Sydney Ferries operator Transdev said it would conduct its own full investigation and had reported the collision to the relevant regulatory authorities.
The cause of the accident had not been established at the time of publication. No major damage to the ferry or wharf was immediately visible in reporting from the scene.
Ferry services disrupted
The collision temporarily affected services between Circular Quay and Manly and Chiswick, while some Parramatta services were also disrupted.
Circular Quay is the principal hub of the Sydney Harbour ferry network and connects the city centre with destinations including Manly, Parramatta and communities around the harbour.
The incident occurred during a period of separate industrial action affecting parts of the Sydney Ferries network. Transport for NSW had already advised passengers that cancellations, delays and service changes were possible during September. There is no confirmed evidence that the industrial action contributed to the collision.
What happens next?
Police inquiries and Transdev’s internal investigation are continuing. Any regulatory investigation will be responsible for determining the circumstances and contributing factors; no finding about the cause should be inferred from the mandatory testing of the vessel’s crew.