British tourists witnessed a harrowing scene on Italy's Amalfi Coast when a ferry repeatedly slammed into a pier during a difficult docking attempt in rough seas. Passengers on the vessel could be heard screaming and swearing as the boat's boarding steps made contact with the dock while the ferry was buffeted by strong winds and large waves.
The incident occurred in Positano, a picturesque but exposed harbor known for its challenging docking conditions during severe weather. Video footage that circulated on social media shows the ferry attempting to maneuver towards the pier with its boarding ladder already extended. However, powerful waves made the approach precarious, lifting the vessel and then pushing it back against the dock.
Water surged over the breakwater, flooding the pier and forcing waiting tourists to move to safety. Due to the inability to maintain a stable position, the ferry's crew eventually retracted the boarding ladder and pulled away from the harbor. Multiple attempts were made before the ferry was eventually able to berth safely.
No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. However, one woman who was onboard described the experience as significantly worse than depicted in the video, stating, "I was there. But know that being on the boat was 100 times worse than what the video shows…"
The footage has brought renewed attention to safety concerns at the Amalfi Coast resort, particularly during periods of adverse weather, when high winds and rough seas can create hazardous conditions for maritime traffic. This event follows a separate incident in the Maldives last year where a speedboat carrying nearly 50 people began to sink after being hit by a large wave, leading to a chaotic evacuation.