Salvage experts are today continuing their assessment of the damage inflicted on the Steam Packet fast craft in Saturday's collision in the Mersey.

The Sea Express 1 was breached in her engine rooms when the vessel collided with a bulk carrier in fog. She's now at a shipyard in Birkenhead.

Miles Cowsill is assistant editor of the publication 'European Ferry Scene', working from his home in Jurby

He says despite intense analysis over the last few days the cause of the accident doesn't seem to have emerged: (first audio clip)

He says if the vessel is beyond repair, the Steam Packet will have a major search on their hands, to charter a replacement: (second audio clip)


Picture: Seconds after the collision, courtesy of Konrad Gibbon)