Four yachts were damaged as a Saga cruise ship was being piloted by the harbourmaster in Dartmouth harbour in Devon.
The boats only suffered “superficial damage” in the incident yesterday, according to Dart Habour Authority.
Steve McMillan, who witnessed the incident, told Devon Live: “The Saga Pearl II collided with four yachts on the way in to Dartmouth.
“She turned in too wide and people were running out of their boats, in their pyjamas on a nearby pontoon adjacent to the yacht club. It really was close.”
Mark Hubbard, chair of Dart Harbour, confirmed: “During a manoeuvre to turn, the ship clipped four yachts causing superficial damage.
“No one was hurt in the incident and the harbour office is now making all efforts to contact the owners of the yacht involved.
“Records from the incident are being collated and will be analysed in order to identify exactly why this occurred and what can be learnt.”
The 449-passenger Saga Pearl II is on its final season for Saga, cruising western Europe including England, France and Spain.
A Saga spokesperson said: “The Saga Pearl II arrived in Dartmouth under pilotage by the harbourmaster.
“During a manoeuvre she came into contact with four small leisure craft causing superficial damage.
“Nobody was hurt in the incident and the harbour office are making every effort to contact the owners of the yachts involved.
“Damage to the yachts will be thoroughly assessed and any damage caused by Saga Pearl II will be rectified.”
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