The ill-fated schooner Fernandes was hosting a pre- wedding party when it struck a reef off Baħar ic-Ċagħaq just over an hour into the trip on Monday night.

“I noticed something was wrong when I saw the boat heading straight for the reef. My friend and I thought the captain was trying to sail through a gap in between but he didn’t and rammed into the reef,” Patrick Meli, one of the guests on board, recounted yesterday.

The party was organised by a couple who had brought along 44 of their closest friends and family for a night cruise to St Paul’s islands.The boat was manned by a six-member crew.

But the trip was cut short not long after leaving the Sliema Ferries at about 7.30 p.m.. The schooner, owned by Captain Morgan Cruises, rammed into a reef just below Għallis tower and got stuck.

Mr Meli said he was surprised when he saw the reef coming closer and closer. He and his friend tried to warn the captain but it was too late.

“It was over in a matter of seconds. Some people at the front of the boat braced themselves while others ran to the back. The impact was not violent as the reef was inclined.”

The captain decided to reverse off the reef and then announced over the PA system the trip would continue because there was no damage. However, the incident had ruined the mood of the party and the captain was asked to head back to the Ferries,Mr Meli said.

Heading back, at about 9 p.m., for safety reasons the captain decided to beach the boat close to the caravan site by the Splash and Fun Park.

An eyewitness, from the caravan site, said the residents saw the boat heading towards the beach and even tried to warn it off.

“Little did we know it was already damaged and taking in water.”

As the Fernandes rose and dipped in the swell, boats, including Armed Forces of Malta vessels, arrived to help the passengers disembark, with some of them being taken to Hay Wharf in Pietà. There were no injuries.

The boat, which was still on even keel during the rescue operation, listed on its starboard side overnight, pummelled by the strong wind and rough sea, despite efforts to pump out the water.

Transport Malta officials were on site yesterday but there was no attempt by the owners to salvage the boat due to the weather conditions. The operation will take place once the weather improves.

Captain Morgan Cruises said the incident was “a result of a miscalculation by the vessel’s experienced captain”.