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Passengers aboard a Sea Coach water taxi sustained injuries and alleged multiple safety failures after their vessel collided with a stationary barge in the Freetown Bay in the early hours of January 5, 2026.
The Open Space Newspaper reports that the incident occurred as the boat, carrying about a dozen additional passengers after another vessel was full, was en route from Freetown to Lungi to connect with airline flights.
A distressed passenger who was aboard narrated that the impact threw passengers from their seats, causing injuries. According to the account provided to Open Space Newspaper, basic maritime safety protocols were not followed. The passenger stated there was no pre-departure safety demonstration on how to use the life jackets, which were stored under the seats.
The passenger further alleged that the seats broke upon collision, worsened by non-functional seatbelts, causing passengers to be thrown forward. Most sustained injuries to their limbs, including cuts and swollen arms.
Upon reaching Lungi, the passenger reported that a Sea Coach employee applied only a topical “Chinese liquid solution” to those with cuts, a response described as inadequate given the circumstances.
Open Space Newspaper attempted to contact a senior Sea Coast official for comment, forwarding the passenger’s claims. The staff member initially stated the company would respond but had not done so at the time of reporting.
Sea Coach has operated water taxi services in Sierra Leone for over 15 years. The allegations raise concerns about adherence to maritime safety regulations for a key transport link to the Freetown International Airport.
