Video and photos of the crumpled Leeuwin show its three masts and rigging strewn across its deck, with a large gash in the hull of the container ship.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation chair and former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said he was “horrified" by the incident and the crew was traumatised.

“The damage ... raises the very real risk that there could have been loss of life," he said. 

Mr Weatherill said the sailors were below deck when the ship hit with the sailing vessel and their injuries happened as they scrambled to safety.

Mr Weatherill said the Leeuwin would not sail for some time.

"You can see that there's obviously been catastrophic damage to the masts and the rigging," he said.

"We are determined though to make sure that we do restore this vessel. This is a much-loved Australian icon."

Fremantle Ports said there appeared to be no major damage to Leeuwin's hull.

Maersk Shekou, which was being guided to its berth by two harbour pilots and four tug boats, also struck the portside Western Australian Maritime Museum and an adjacent pier, causing damage to both.

The container ship's bow struck the Leeuwin and the vessel's stern hit A berth and the museum roof, the port authority said.

Chief executive Jodie Ransom said it was a rare occurrence for the port and it was not clear what happened.

“The Leeuwin is a foundational piece within the port and seeing the damage occur and the incident occur is stressful for all of us, and particularly our concerns are for the crew on board ... who were injured.” she said.

Fremantle Ports, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are investigating the incident. 

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